Genetic research of epilepsy

The epilepsies are likely to be due to a combination of genetic and
environmental factors or are triggered by an interaction of such factors in
susceptible individuals. Some of the genetic risk factors have been identified
by examining families with (rare) hereditary epilepsies. Epileptic disorders
have been associated to mutations in genes that code ion channels, or neuronal
receptors, but also in genes that have no direct relation to neuronal
electrophysiology. The study of epilepsy genes may contribute to a better
understanding of the molecular mechanisms, and lead to the development of
better therapies for the condition.

To set up a repository of genetic material from a large group of well
phenotyped people with epilepsy patients to allow the case control association
studies, and families for linkage studies, to analyze and detect genetic risk
factors for epilepsy.

Collection of cases for a case control study; collection of patients from
epilepsy families for linkage study.

The burden of participation will be a single venapuncture for 10 ml of blood
and supplying some additional information. The benefit will be that more
knowledge of the disease will be achieved when important genetic risk factors
are identified.