Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder affecting both sexes and all ages with no ethnic or geographical boundary. Over 185,000 Australians are living with epilepsy and 2% will develop the condition at some point in their lives.

With no known methods to prevent or cure, current medications aim to control epilepsy by suppressing seizure occurrence. Yet, despite treatment, one third of patients continue to have seizures.

In this lecture, Professor Kwan will take us on a tour from the clinic to the laboratory and back to the clinic to illustrate how research inspired by clinical observations are able to directly impact upon health policy and practice.

He will explain how a close look at the way people respond to medications has changed treatment algorithm, and discuss how discovering the genetic basis of drug response is enabling a more personalized approach so that treatment can be more effective and safer.