RESTON, VA, July 26, 2007 – The Epilepsy Research Foundation (ERF), a unique joint venture of three non-profit epilepsy organizations to identify and accelerate the development of promising epilepsy research, today announced three recipients of translational research funds totaling over $300,000 for work to advance three promising epilepsy therapies. The ERF research awards are designed to support exciting, innovative therapies through laboratory research or early clinical development and are being presented to physicians and scientists actively advancing the research with important, nearterm patient benefits. The funded projects include the development of an intravenous formulation of the drug topiramate for the neuroprotection and the treatment of seizures in neonatal infants; a multiscale human electrophysiology and stimulation program to significantly improve the efficacy of brain stimulation in patients with epilepsy; and the use of a novel electrical brain stimulation therapy to suppress epileptic activity.
