New diagnostic test for epilepsy gives hope to patients with drug-resistant form of the disease
Epilepsy affects approximately three percent of Canadians. Unfortunately anti-epileptic drugs are ineffective in about one-third of patients, who have a drug-resistant form of the disease. This form of epilepsy is extremely expensive to treat, with costs reaching an estimated $1.7 billion in Canada in 2012.
The goal of this project is to develop a pharmacogenomic tool for the more accurate diagnosis of various forms of epilepsy, particularly those that are drug resistant. This decision-support tool would improve the lives of patients by giving them access to diagnostic information in a timelier manner, aiding their decision about treatment options, and helping to prevent cognitive decline in children. Introducing this tool to the Canadian health care system represents potential savings of nearly $12 million per year.
To learn more about the genetic program research on epilepsy, click here (in French)
Co-applicants and End-users:
| Guy | Rouleau | Université de Montréal |
| Stephen | Scherer | University of Toronto |
| Elsa | Rossignol | Université de Montréal |
| Danielle | Andrade | University of Toronto |
| Lionel | Carmant | Université de Montréal |
| Jean | Lachaine | Université de Montréal |
| Marie-Pierre | Dubé | Université de Montréal |
| Jong | Rho | University of Calgary |
| Anne-Marie | Laberge | Université de Montréal |
| Grant | Mitchell | Université de Montréal |
| Samuel F. | Berkovic | Genetic Commission of the International league against epilepsy |
| Steve | White | NIH Anti-epilectic drug discovery platform |