Research Horizons at Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation
Explore highlights of the exciting research happening at Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation with Research Horizons. Each issue features recent studies published by Cincinnati Children's investigators. By combining cutting-edge research and education with the best in pediatric care, we are striving to improve the lives of children and families everywhere.
This issue features these news briefs:
In addition, you will find the following feature stories that highlight some of our many world-class researchers:
For years, the talented researchers, neurologists and neurosurgeons of Cincinnati Children’s have been leading efforts nationally and internationally in the study and use of medications and surgical approaches for epilepsy. The formation of a Comprehensive Epilepsy Center will enable us to more effectively coordinate and integrate the efforts of these various disciplines, and bring our findings to bear more quickly in the care of patients. [more]
It took a long time for epilepsy treatment to get where it is today — nearly 4,000 years, in fact. The first account of seizures dates back to Babylonia, circa 2000 BC. Although seizures were described in terms much like those used today, they were believed to be a spiritual affliction — and an evil one, at that. [more]
For years, epilepsy surgery required a high degree of educated guesswork. But thanks to technological advances in the last 10 or so years, surgeons can now draw on an array of sophisticated diagnostic tools to pinpoint the seizure zone and its proximity to primary language, motor and sensory areas of brain. [more]
Despite our advances in understanding disease, the underlying causes of some conditions continue to elude researchers’ grasp. Epilepsy is one such disorder. But new findings by Cincinnati Children’s researcher Steven Danzer, PhD (above), show promise of removing some of the mystery around epilepsy and could lead to new, more effective treatments. [more]
For doctors who treat patients with epilepsy, deciding on the best course of treatment is a complex task. There are hundreds of variables at play, all of which could affect their treatment decision, and the decisions can be particularly daunting. [more]
Katherine Holland, MD, PhD, is out to challenge everything she ever learned about the medications she gives children with epilepsy. Director of the epilepsy research program in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, she is studying how patients respond to epilepsy medications and the role of genetic factors in that response. [more]
