In the UK, around 60,000 babies, children and young people under 18 years old have epilepsy.[1][2] Early-onset epilepsy, which starts in the first few years of life, is associated with neurodevelopmental differences that can significantly impact a child’s learning, everyday skills, physical and mental health, and quality of life. Dr Charlotte Tye at King’s College London is leading a study to assess the development, behaviour and brain function of young children with epilepsy to identify early-life predictors of later neurodevelopmental outcomes. Her research could help shape future clinical trials for early interventions aimed at improving the lives of children with early-onset epilepsy and their families.
How are children’s lives affected now?
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures. Children and young people with epilepsy are also more likely to have neurodevelopmental conditions, learning disabilities, autism and attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“Epilepsy can profoundly impact the lives of both children and their families,” says Dr Tye. “Beyond the distress and unpredictability of seizures, children with epilepsy face a higher likelihood of learning, developmental and behavioural challenges compared to their peers, which can affect their overall quality of life.”
Before interventions can be tailored to young children with epilepsy, it is crucial to identify features of early development that can predict later neurodevelopmental outcomes. This is especially important in early-onset epilepsy, where the focus on seizure control may delay the diagnosis of behavioural or learning differences.
“We need to follow babies and infants from the point of an epilepsy diagnosis to identify early predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes and provide targeted support to improve longer term outcomes,” says Dr Tye.
How could this research help?
Our goal is to identify features of early development in children with early-onset epilepsy that can predict later neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Dr Tye is leading the Brain development in Early Epilepsy (BEE) study, which is tracking early behavioural, brain and learning development in infants with epilepsy during their first two years of life.
“We now plan to combine our existing data with new preschool-friendly, in-depth and innovative assessments of development, behaviour and brain function at three to five years old.”
The researchers hope to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between epilepsy symptoms and learning and behavioural challenges in preschool children, identify early brain changes that can predict later outcomes, and explore whether these changes explain the relationship between early-onset epilepsy and neurodevelopmental challenges.
“We will also work closely with families and doctors to help shape future clinical trials for early interventions that could improve the long-term quality of life for children with early-onset epilepsy,” says Dr Tye.
Research table
Project details
| Project Leader | Dr Charlotte Tye, PhD |
| Location | Department of Psychology, King’s College London |
| Project Team |
Dr Michael Absoud, MBChB PhD
Dr Sushma Goyal, MBBS MD MRCPCH Professor Emily JH Jones, PhD Dr Luke Mason, PhD Dr Shan Tang, MBBS FRCPCH PhD |
| Other Locations |
Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London
Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London |
| Grant Amount | £196,701 |
| Duration | 30 months |
| Grant Code (GN number) | GN3088 |
References
1. Epilepsy Action, Epilepsy facts and terminology; https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/press/epilepsy-facts-and-terminology [website accessed 20 January 2025]
2. Office for National Statistics; Estimates of the population for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) [website accessed 07 January 2025]
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