Parallelised ultra high-density electrophysiological assays to power epilepsy precision medicine

Epilepsy is a brain condition characterized by the occurrence of seizures, significantly impacting the lives of those affected. This is especially the case when it is caused by genetic factors and manifests early in life. Despite current treatments, finding effective seizure control remains a challenge, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapies and the ability to predict their success.

Our project is at the forefront of addressing this need by employing cutting-edge induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. We can develop 'mini-brains' that closely replicate the brain environment of individuals with genetic forms of epilepsy. These models, created from iPSCs derived from epilepsy patients, offer a revolutionary platform for testing the effectiveness of potential epilepsy treatments.

In this project we will combine this with a way to look at the electrical activity of the mini-brains in high resolution and capture seizure-like events. This is a state-of-the-art technology called ultra high density multi-electrode arrays (MEA). By then applying different drugs, we can observe changes in this electrical activity, identifying treatments that could potentially reduce or eliminate seizures.

This project will focus on patients with TSC2 mutations, a group known for their challenging-to-treat epilepsy. The integration of patient-specific iPSC brain organoids with advanced MEA technology not only marks a significant step forward in epilepsy research but also lays the groundwork for personalized medicine, offering hope for targeted therapies that could transform the lives of those battling drug-resistant epilepsy.