Epilepsy affects several million American citizens. Though there is much research done on epilepsy, little is known about how epilepsy develops. This project utilizes Drosophila (the fruit fly) to identify genes that are involved in the development of epilepsy. We have identified several mutations that affect seizure development. We are currently determining how these genes affect the development of seizures.

Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder. Affected individuals often require multiple anti-epileptics but it is estimated that greater than 40 percent of sufferers continue to have seizures despite taking medication. In the year 2000, the annual economic cost of epilepsy in the United States was estimated to be over $12 billion. Epilepsy can be caused by a number of factors, including head injuries. With the rising number of severe head injuries in soldiers serving in war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of epileptics in the United States (and New York State) will certainly increase. For those with severe head trauma, there is little that can be done to prevent the onset of epilepsy. This project`s goal is to identify new drug targets to prevent the development of epilepsy.

We have begun a systematic screen of the Drosophila genome to identify genes that are involved in the development of epilepsy. We have so far identified at least two mutations that are involved in the severity of seizures. This data will enable us to develop models for how seizures are triggered.

Several significant impacts are possible from this research. Once we have identified new drug targets for epilepsy, new classes of anti-convulsants may be developed. These new and improved drugs will be important for the pharmaceutical industry upon which new anti-convulsant drug development is crucial. The new drugs will lead to a profound improvement in the quality of life for affected patients, allowing them to lead normal productive lives. It will also improve medical care for epileptics, leading to decreased costs in managing intractable epilepsy.

University of Toronto