Basic and Clinical Research in Epilepsy

Unit Code

01022

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Victorian Epilepsy Centre and Department of Clinical Neurosciences
St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
The Department of Clinical Neurosciences and The Department of Medicine
Royal Melbourne Hospital

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5

Coursework Points: 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Associate Professor Terence O'Brien
Department of Medicine, 4th Floor, Clinical Sciences Building
Royal Parade
Parkville
Victoria 3050 Australia

tel: +61 3 8344 5478
fax: +61 3 9347 1863
email: obrientj@unimelb.edu.au

Alternative Contact:

Associate Professor Mark Cook
Victorian Epilepsy Centre
St Vincent's Hospital
41 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065 Australia

tel: 0411 099000
fax: +61 3 9288 3350
email: markcook@bigpond.net.au

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Overall Objectives

This unit aims to provide the student with experience in performing translational research in the area of epileptology. Translational research is where clinically relevant questions, identified by clinicians, are addressed using scientific methods. Specifically in this program the questions relate to the underlying pathophysiology of epilepsy syndromes, and what potential option exist for neuropharmacological interventions in this process. The student will gain experience and skills essential to performing basic and clinical research:

• Critically evaluating the relevant medical literature and formulating a research question
• Designing and implementing an experimental plan
• The collection and analysis of experimental data
• To evaluate the findings in the context of human epilepsy
• The oral presentation and written reporting of the study results

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Content

Coursework: Either Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics or Qualitative Health Research as appropriate to the project selected.

Research: The projects available cover a wide variety of basic and clinical scientific disciplines with relevance to epilepsy, including neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, molecular biology and image analysis. The specific technical skills and experience acquired by the student would vary with the research project undertaken, but the principles would have applicability across all areas of clinical research.

Sample Research Topics:

1. Investigations into the mechanisms of seizure exacerbation by antiepileptic drugs in a rat model of absence epilepsy (RMH).
2. Pharmacogenetic influences on the expression and modulation of absence seizures in rodent models of absence epilepsy (RMH).
3. Relationship between focal hypometabolism and regional brain atrophy in chronic partial epilepsy (SVH & RMH).
4. Investigation of the anti-epileptic/neuroprotective effects of anti-convulsant medications in a rat amygdala kindling model (SVH).
5. Population based study of the outcome and consequences of epilepsy (SVH).

For a detailed list and description of research projects: www.victorianepilepsycentre.org.au
http://www.medrmhwh.unimelb.edu.au/Students%20and%20Courses/rmh-ams.htm

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 points
Research Report (up to 9,000 words): 75%
Assignment on research-related lecture topics: 10%
Supervisor's Evaluation: 15%

Coursework Component: 12.5 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR Qualitative Health Research will be assessed as per subject description.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available: 4