Alica Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2009 Donalty/Coggins Award given by the Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy by raising funds for research and by increasing awareness of the prevalence and devastation of this disease. The one-year grant is in support of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) research.
Dr. Goldman's research is focused on identifying mutations in ion channel genes found in both the heart and the brain that underlie both cardiac arrhythmias and seizures, and may ultimately lead to SUDEP. They have developed an ion channel gene specific microarray that will be used to analyze DNA samples from SUDEP cases and from individuals with intractable epilepsy. This research will be important in elucidating molecular risk factors underlying SUDEP. The long-term goal is to assist in defining an epilepsy population at risk for sudden death and allow initiation of life-saving preventative measures, as well as the design of gene specific therapies.
Read more about CURE research awards at https://www.cureepilepsy.org/our-research/grants-awarded/.