The Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) was initiated in 2015 to develop an understanding of the magnitude of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) within the military and to expand research into the basic mechanisms by which traumatic brain injury (TBI) produces epilepsy. To this end, and to satisfy the ERP’s Mission and Vision, the ERP has identified the following research Focus Areas for FY 15:

• Epidemiology: Epidemiological characterization of, and identification of risk factors for developing PTE following TBI including different variables such as race and ethnicity; age; gender; organic head injury factors; type of insult; latency to epilepsy; and comorbidities.

• Markers and Mechanisms: Identifying markers or mechanisms (via clinical prospective or preclinical models) that address PTE:
  • Early detection
  • Diagnosis
  • Prognosis
  • Comorbidity
  • Risk stratification

• Models of PTE: Development of new models or better characterization of existing etiologically relevant models for PTE including repetitive TBI.

Vision 

The ERP envisions a time when the causative links between TBI and epilepsy are understood and post-traumatic epilepsy is preventable.

Mission 

The ERP’s mission is to fund research to understand the magnitutde, and the underlying mechanisms of PTE, especially in Service members and Veterans.