Electrophysiology in Human Tissue and Animal Models
Anne Williamson, Ph.D.
Current Research Program
The major focus of my laboratory research is the study of the electrophysiological changes found in focal epileptic tissue. Most of our work involves studying tissue from identified epileptogenic regions from seizure patients using the in vitro brain slice technique. Two major types of epilepsy are being studied: cases of temporal lobe epilepsy where the hippocampal formation is the primary site of seizure initiation and cases where a neocortical lesion underlies the seizures. We are currently engaged in studies to assess which circuits are affected in these different types of epilepsy and in the effects of different neuromodulatory pathways on the abnormal excitability found in this tissue. In addition to these human studies, we are pursuing parallel studies using an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy, the kainate-treated rat. A number of the hypotheses generated by the human tissue studies can be examined under more controlled conditions using these animals. These studies are currently supported by two program project grants, the Yale Epilepsy Center Grant and Dr. Spencer's Epilepsy Program Project.
Relationship of Research to Neurological Disease
These studies are focused on understanding the physiological changes seen in both the neocortex and hippocampi of patients with epilepsy. As such, we have the opportunity to study the disease processes directly. This information provides an important first step in developing improved treatments for this group of diseases. In addition, the epilepsy surgery program is highly interactive and these physiological data are incorporated with a variety of clinical and other basic science data to develop an accurate picture of the different syndromes that are found within the larger classifications of epilepsy.
Dr. Williamson can be reached at 203-785-5359
or email to anne.williamson@yale.edu
Neurosurgery Faculty/Program Menu
Department of Neurosurgery address and phone number
http://info.yale.med.edu/surgery/neurosur/neuropsycho.html
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