Epilepsy Sparks Insights

Epilepsy: Making Diagnoses More Precise! - Mastaneh Torkamani Azar

Post-doc researcher Mastaneh Torkamani-Azar discusses her research on drug-resistant epilepsy, focusing on the innovative techniques being developed to improve diagnosis and treatment. The conversation covers the challenges of drug resistance in epilepsy, the importance of advanced neuroimaging and histopathology, and the potential impact of this research on patient outcomes and quality of life. Mastaneh emphasises the collaborative nature of the project and the significance of integrating various data types to enhance clinical decision-making.
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🔗 Website & more about Mastaneh: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/mastaneh-torkamani-azar-data-epilepsy-making-diagnoses-more-precise 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Epilepsy: The Brain-Mind Connection - Leszek Kaczmarek

Neurobiologist Leszek Kaczmarek discusses his extensive research in molecular neurobiology, particularly focusing on the role of the MMP-9 protein in learning, memory, and epilepsy! He explains how MMP-9 is linked to synaptic plasticity and epilepsy, autism, and various mental health disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol addiction. Kaczmarek also shares insights into future research directions and the potential for drug development to prevent epilepsy.
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🔗 Website & more about Leszek : 👇🏻
www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/leszek-kaczmarek-brain-mind-connection 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Communication Barriers in Epilepsy Research - Georgia Cook

Research Fellow Georgia Cook explains the challenges of and positive impacts of positive, effective communication upon patient and family Quality of Life, the importance of qualitative research engagement and how it compliments quantitative research, and strategies to improve patient communication in an epilepsy trial. This is part 2 of 2 with Georgia.
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🔗 Website & more about Georgia: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/georgia-cook-communication-barriers-in-epilepsy-research
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Being Involved in Epilepsy Research at iNeuron! - Torie Robinson

Paediatric neurologist, scientist, and PPI Lead Julia Jacobs and Torie Robinson discuss the role of individuals with Lived Experience in research, particularly in the context of the iNeuron project, which focuses on epilepsy, stroke, and dementia. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by basic science research, the importance of knowledge translation, and the benefits of engaging young researchers. The conversation emphasises the shared experiences across different diseases and the motivation that comes from personal connections in research.
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🔗 Website & more about the study: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/julia-jacobs-ineuron-lived-experience-basic-science 

How Do We Understand The Researchers - And the Patients?! - Georgia Cook

Research Fellow Georgia Cook chats about the importance of effective communication between researchers and lay-people in epilepsy research - using the CASTLE study as a great example! She speaks of how the way that patients and families think and prioritise can be different to that of researchers, the vicious cycle between sleep disruption and epileptic seizures, the impacts of COVID upon the study, and why clinicians - neurologists, epileptologists, and epilepsy nurses - must pay attention to sleep in PWE! This is part 1 of 2 with Georgia.
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🔗 Website & more about Georgia: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/georgia-cook-tightrope-of-communication 
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Travelling With Epilepsy! - Manuel Toledo

Manuel Toledo and Torie chat about the importance of but also the challenges in traveling for many people with an epilepsy, including medication management, sleep patterns, and knowing the healthcare systems in different countries! The chat highlights the need for preparation and safety tips for traveling with epilepsy, as well as the significance of sharing experiences to improve patient care.vvvvv
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🔗 Website & more about Manuel 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/manuel-toledo-travelling-epilepsy
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Treating Epilepsy With Spider Venom! - Glenn King

Glenn King discusses his research in epilepsy and how animal venoms can be utilised to develop new treatments! He explains the mechanisms of ion channels, the diversity of venoms, and the process of identifying effective compounds. The conversation also touches on the challenges of drug development, the potential for personalised medicine, and the future of epilepsy treatment..
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🔗 Website & more about Glenn 👇🏻
www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/glenn-king-treating-epilepsy-with-spider-venom
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻
https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary
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The Complexities of Paediatric Epileptology! - Eleni Panagiotakaki

Paediatric neurologist Eleni Panagiotakaki discusses her work in paediatric epileptology, focusing on rare epilepsies such as Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) and GRIN disorders. She highlights the challenges in diagnosing and treating these conditions, the variability of symptoms,  the importance of a holistic approach to care, and the role of parents in driving research!
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🔗 Website & more about Eleni 👇
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/eleni-panagiotakaki-ahc-grin-genetic
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Understanding Acute Symptomatic Seizures: A Deep Dive - Clio Rubinos

What are Acute Symptomatic Seizures, how do they differ from epileptic seizures, and how can one recover? Who will develop an epilepsy after one and what are the causes?! Think stroke, TBI, tumours, infection, encephalitis, status epilepticus...! Find out all about it from neurocritical care and epileptology specialist neurologist Clio Rubinos.
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Website, transcript, & more about Clio: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/clio-rubinos-acute-symptomatic-seizures
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Exploring the Future of Brain Imaging: OPM-MEG - Zelekha Seedat

Post-doc researcher Zelekha Seedat discusses her work as a postdoctoral researcher at Young Epilepsy, focusing on Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and the innovative Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPM) technology. She explains the differences between MEG and EEG, the advantages of OPM technology, and the challenges faced in interpreting data. The conversation also covers the importance of combining EEG with OPM-MEG for better data accuracy, the future potential of OPM-MEG in clinical settings, and how to get involved in her research!
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🔗 Website & more about Zelekha 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/zelekha-seedat-opm-meg-young-epilepsy 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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