Neuropathology

S.Sisodiya, M Thom, L Martinian

We have continued our research into the neuropathology of epilepsy, focussing on temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis, focal cortical dysplasia and specific pathways, such as cdk5 and its substrates. We showed extensive alteration within this pathway, suggesting links between neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration through disruption of the cell cycle and its regulation, leading, in FCD, to accelerated neuronal loss through tau-mediated processes. We secured funding for research into our valuable post mortem brain archive, which will be studied intensively to explore mechanisms of drug resistance, neuronal loss, gene expression, somatic mutation and recovery from epilepsy.

The UCL Institute of Neurology promotes teaching and research of the highest quality in neurology and the neurosciences. The Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery are members of  UCL Partners, Europe's largest academic health science partnership.