630 West 168th Street
P & S Box 16
New York, NY 10032
phone: (212) 305-9188
fax : (212) 305-2526
Epilepsy Family Study
of Columbia University
Click here to apply through our
secure on-line Form
| Phase I: Beginning of the
project |
||
| Between 1986 to 1989 we carried out a telephone survey
of 1,957 adults with epilepsy who had contacted voluntary organizations for epilepsy
in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. In the survey
we asked about their seizure types, relevant medical history, and
whether or not any of their family members had had seizures. We also
interviewed 1,474 close relatives of these subjects. |
||
| Phase II: Focus on families
with epilepsy |
||
| In 1993 we began a new phase of the study, including
only 42 of the original families -- those in which several family
members had epilepsy. In these families (1) we conducted new interviews
either by telephone or in person; (2) our neurologists interviewed
and examined people who had had seizures; (3) some of the family members
had EEGs for the study; and (4) many of the participants donated blood
samples. The blood samples were stored for later laboratory testing. |
||
| Phase III: Finding a gene |
||
| In the current phase of our research, our goal is to identify specific genes that play a role in causing epilepsy. To do this we have collected over 90 families containing more than one person with epilepsy. All together, more than 1,000 individuals have been interviewed or donated blood samples for the study. We are using a method called "linkage analysis." This method involves looking for differences in the DNA between individuals with and without epilepsy within families. We are using the blood samples we have collected to look for these DNA differences. |
and epilepsy?
volunteering
provide any advice regarding
treatment of epilepsy.
The Epilepsy Foundation
may have information to help you.
National Institutes of Health.
write to us if you have
any questions about our study.
1-877-EPI-GENE
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