Clinical research
The Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre conducts clinical trials and long-term studies of patients throughout their childhood.
Patients at the Centre are studied in order to discover more about the different factors which may affect their type of epilepsy as well as for recruitment purposes for clinical trials.
This research centre represents an opportunity for the Muir Maxwell Trust to contribute to the practical application of leading global research to the treatment of childhood epilepsy. Ann Maxwell, Co-founder of the Muir Maxwell Trust
Data resources
Central to our research strategy is the utilisation of Scotland’s exceptional data resources and health informatics capabilities, both of which are amongst the best in the world.
This approach allows us to develop unique longitudinal epilepsy registries to enable targeted patient research including clinical trials as well as to improve health, education and care provision.
Integral to the registries is linkage of patient health data to their education and social data throughout their entire life.
With these data we can accelerate accurate diagnosis, study the natural history and prognosis of the different types of epilepsy, recruit patients to trials, and inform health policy and practice through the provision of authoritative evidence and knowledge synthesis.
Current projects include:
Aim
To determine the incidence and neurodevelopmental profiles of pre-school with epilepsy
Investigator
Matthew Hunter, Kirsten Verity, Ruth Sumpter, Richard Chin
Aim
To understand secular trends, clinical characteristics and outcomes using routine administrative data
Investigator
Chris Weir, Richard Chin, Rachael Wood
Aim
This PhD study explores children's own experiences of childhood epilepsy and their involvement in their own health care both formally in a hospital setting and informally in the home.
Drawing on multiple qualitative methods with both children and their parents, a better understanding of children's own understanding and experiences of epilepsy and its treatment and management can be explored. The research will incorporate a range of disciplines and theory.
The study is in collaboration with the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre and the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships.
Investigator
Rebecca Black, Richard Chin, Martyn Pickersgill, Jeni Harden
Aim
Using MRI to enable earlier diagnosis of learning and or behavioural problems
Investigator
Michael Yoong, Richard Chin, Mark Bastin
Aim
Studying and developing advanced MRI techniques to optimise epilepsy surgery outcome
Investigator
Julie Woodfield, Mark Bastin, Michael Yoong, Richard Chin
Aim
Collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health to investigte prenatal and early life exposures and the risk for epilepsy
Investigator
Richard Chin, Camilla Stoltenberg, Kari Aaberg, Pal Suren
Aim
To understand the frequency and risk factors for sleep problems and explore treatments
Investigator
Steve Williams, Richard Chin, and Chris Derry.
Aim
A study to determine the frequency of deaths in adults with epilepsy, characterise causes of death, identify potentially preventable deaths, risk factors for premature deaths including SUDEP.
Investigator
Susan Duncan, Richard Chin, Malcolm Macleod, Gashirai Mbizio and colleagues from NHS Scotland.