Genetic Test For Epilepsy Sufferers Developed By Victoria, Australia Scientists

Main Category: Epilepsy
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 20 Jun 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Researchers in Victoria, Australia have developed a new genetic test to help predict the response of epilepsy sufferers to commonly used drug treatments. The non-invasive blood-based test has been developed by doctors from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne University and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

Victoria Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said the work involving Victorian researchers is featured in the Innovation Corridor here at the BIO International Conference.

Mr. Jennings is at the conference as part of a Victorian contingent being led by Premier John Brumby. The contingent includes delegates from 70 Victorian research institutes, universities, and industry bodies.

"Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent and serious disorders of the central nervous system with an estimated prevalence of approximately 50 million cases worldwide, with 2.5 million cases in the US alone," Mr. Jennings said.

"However carbamazepine and valproate, two first-line treatments for epilepsy, have limited efficacy, with 40 per cent of patients having a significant adverse drug reaction and 20-40 per cent experiencing recurring seizures."

This new genetic test will tell doctors whether their patients are genetically predisposed to respond to the medication, which will allow them to more effectively target treatment and care.

The combined market for epilepsy drugs in the US and Europe is greater than US $3 billion, growing at an annual rate of approximately 15 per cent.

The easy to use diagnostic test has been validated in a large trial of over 300 patients and is currently being trialled in another 600 patients.

The Innovation Corridor is a forum for both young and experienced researchers and biotech professionals to share their creative, new ideas - ideas that will generate new biotech breakthroughs as global business benefits from academic research underway in universities and medical research institutes around the world.

State of Victoria, Australia