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Associate Professor Caroline Beck “I live with epilepsy, and it can have serious impacts on daily life. You’re always wondering when the next seizure will hit, and when it does, you can’t drive for a while and lose your independence. I worry too that my young daughters may have to face its effects in their future. This research gives me hope that better treatments can be found in time to make a difference.” Danelle, Auckland 2018 2019 2020 2023 2025 2026 also 2026 Years ahead 2021 Neurologist Dr Peter Bergin is awarded two grantsworth $135,986 to set up a registry for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in NewZealand (SUDEP). This reveals 103 cases of SUDEP inNZ across two years, often in adults in the prime of their lives, highlighting the importance of effectively managing epilepsy. Dr Rachael Sumner is awarded a small project grant of $24,183 looking at the relationship between the oral contraceptive and seizures. Professor Lynette Sadleir is awarded a project grant of $173,929 to investigate epilepsy inMāori children. This later led to aHealth Research Council Clinical ResearchTraining Fellowship for early career researcher Dr Ngaire Keenan. University of OtagoAssociate Professor CarolineBeck receives a large project grant worth $202,541, supportingwork to better understand how brain development changes in genetic epilepsy. TheNeurological Foundation supports Dr Rachael Sumner with a First Fellowship of $216,356, helping advance her research into menstrual cycle- linked seizures, also known as catamenial epilepsy. University of OtagoAssociate Professor CarolineBeck receives a large project grant, worth $258,422, to continue her work understanding how brain development is affected in epilepsy. Neurologist Dr Alexander Berry-Noronha receives a $173,500VJ Chapman Fellowship to spend two years at theUniversity ofMelbourne investigating antiseizure medications in pregnancy. Associate Professor CarolineBeck receives travel funding to attend the Epilepsy Research Institute Conference in theUK, where she presents her work and spends time with colleagues at theUniversity of Manchester. Dr Alex Berry-Noronha completes hisVJ Chapman Fellowship and undertakes a PhD, to extend his work in theComprehensive Epilepsy Program. Thiswas briefly mentioned by our Head of Research during a segment onRNZNational on 20 January 2026. Dr Cynthia Sharpe and teamare receiving $290,543 for a study supportingNewZealand’s participation in an international clinical trial of levetiracetam, a potentially safermedication for seizures in babies. The findings could lead to changes in neonatal seizure treatment, allowing babieswithmild to moderate seizures to avoid the side effects of current therapy. Cynthia has also received a $1M Clinical Practitioner Research Fellowship this year fromthe HealthResearch Council. The Foundation agrees tomanage research funding on behalf of Epilepsy NewZealand. Applications open for both small and large project grants focused on better understanding the causes, treatment and possible cure for epilepsy, with new research projects expected to follow. Caroline’s final report is due inDecember 2027, providing a future opportunity to share further findings fromthis long-termepilepsy research. “Thanks to funding from the Neurological Foundation, we are now an established group and excited about continuing to develop new tools and establish new collaborations to better understand how brain development changes in genetic epilepsy.” Associate Professor CarolineBeck Understanding epilepsy: Better treatments &knowledge Epilepsy has been described as being like an electrical storm inside your head. It is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide, and 1 in 20 people will experience a seizure at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, it is still poorly understood by many people. This lack of awareness can contribute to stigma and even discrimination. Since 1980, the Neurological Foundation has supported more than $3.5Mof research aimed at making breakthroughs in understanding epilepsy, from conception onwards. Brain tissue from epilepsy surgery is housed at the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank for research. The Foundation supported neurologist Dr Peter Bergin to set up a platform to recruit patients for epilepsy drug trials. The platform, called EpiNet, is accessed by adult and paediatric neurologists from around the world. The timeline below brings together recent and upcoming epilepsy-related research milestones, grants and updates. 12 13