Children with epilepsy will benefit from a new research centre that aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

The centre at the University will drive medical science to improve the lives of children with epilepsy.

It will be the first dedicated medical research centre in the UK to focus exclusively on translating laboratory research findings about childhood epilepsy directly into improved clinical care.

There are more than 70,000 children with epilepsy in the UK.

Muir Maxwell Trust

Founding the centre has been made possible by a £1m pledge from the Muir Maxwell Trust, a paediatric epilepsy charity.

The trust was established by parents Ann and Jonny Maxwell after their son Muir was diagnosed with epilepsy in infancy.

The funding will enable key clinical and scientific posts to be established.

It is hoped the centre will become self-sufficient through core funding, research grants and donations within five years.

Ann Maxwell, founder of the Muir Maxwell Trust, said "This research centre represents an opportunity for the Muir Maxwell Trust to contribute to the practical application of leading global research to the treatment of childhood epilepsy."

Research focus

The research programme at the Muir Maxwell Centre for Childhood Epilepsy Research will focus on improving diagnosis of the condition.

Earlier detection of epilepsy would allow greater use of preventative measures to control seizures.

The facility will benefit from state-of-the-art imaging equipment at the University, including the UK’s first ultra-fast CT scanner.

It will also run in close collaboration with the University’s Centre for Neuroregeneration, where world-leading experts are already working on other neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease.

Posted: 20th October 2009