Pediatrics

Welcome to the University of Florida Epilepsy Research Laboratory
Students and faculty affiliated with our laboratory engage in a variety of scientific endeavors with a primary goal to understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and to apply this knowledge toward developing new treatments and cures.

Members of our group work both on fundamental epilepsy problems usually motivated by the physiological application, and on medical applications, often in collaboration with clinical investigators. In many instances combining both experimentation and theory allows us to understand and interpret experimental data in a mechanistic framework. It also allows us to predict, suggest, and evaluate new treatment and prevention modalities to the medical community. Investigations in our laboratory reflect a contemporary neurobiology which has embraced recent advances in electrophysiology, molecular and cellular biology, brain imaging, nonlinear dynamics, control theory and statistical physics. This tightly unified approach that combines mechanistic scientific discovery and engineering innovation is accomplished by interdisciplinary neuroscientists, biomedical engineers, and clinicians affiliated with our laboratory.

As evidence of our broad approach, our work is supported by agencies which span a variety of scientific communities - National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Naval Research (ONR), Epilepsy Foundation of America, Children's Miracle Network, McKnight Foundation, and the Wilder Epilepsy Research Center. The currently funded projects underway in my laboratory are centered on four research areas, each of which is aligned with the National Institutes of Health White House initiated "Benchmarks" for Epilepsy Research.

Evolution into Epilepsy (NIH R01-EB004752-01)
The first area focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of epileptogenesis. Experimental (bench top & animal models) and theoretical (analytical & computational) approaches are employed to capture the essential physiology and dynamics at multiple spatiotemporal scales, from membrane currents and chemical coupling to network oscillations and neural ensemble behavior during four critical phases of epileptogenesis. Biologically feasible algorithm and software tools are employed for data analysis and inference. Computational models are used to test hypotheses that can be directly verified by current or future biological experiments.

Prediction of the Onset of Epilepsy (NIH R01-EB007082)
The second area focuses on finding markers of epileptogenesis and epilepsy. The temporal resolution of EEG, combined with the superior spatial resolution of imaging, offer powerful integrated tools for monitoring epileptogenesis. In collaboration with the Mareci and Vemuri research groups, we are developing acquisition and analytical methods for brain imaging and brain mapping in a model of epilepsy. Similar surrogate spatial markers for epilepsy are underway for human epilepsy.

Bioengineering Research Partnership in Brain Dynamics (NIH R01-EB002089-03)
The third area focuses on creating and implementing new therapies free of side effects that are aimed at the cessation of seizures in patients with epilepsy. We are experimenting with seizure detection/prediction biosensor-coupled drug/stimulation systems. The resulting system will be able to detect chemical and/or electrical signals and deliver an anticonvulsant agent and/or stimulation to prevent or treat an impending seizure. Fabrication techniques for manipulating novel microelectrode arrays to produce both sensing and actuation are being accomplished with adaptive control mechanisms that close the loop around these devices. Preclinical gene therapy and novel drug discovery studies on validated models of epilepsy are also underway.

Real-Time Brain Monitoring (Epilepsy Foundation of America)
The fourth area focuses on developing noninvasive real-time bed-side brain monitoring. Quantitative EEG methods are employed in order to extract global EEG descriptors which are used to statistically validate mathematical algorithms. We envision a fully integrated system that will allow for portable brain monitoring that assists the clinician with making critical decisions about care. We are also conducting studies to asses the utility of photoacoustic tomography as an emerging imaging modality for brain mapping.

If you have any questions please contact us on any topics that may interest you. Our laboratory is located in the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida L2-140.