Unit profile
Research
Epilepsy is one of the most devastating neurological diseases, affecting at least 60 million people worldwide. But despite certain progress in antiepileptic drug developmental, available pharmacological treatments are only symptomatic, have side effects and fail to adequately control seizures in a third of patients. Recently, neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors emerged as strong regulators of synaptic transmission in the CNS, offering a potent tool to counteract the seizure activity. However, it is not clear yet what the role of these agents is in mechanisms of epileptogenesis. We do research to develop gene therapy strategies based on neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors. We also use optogenetics and chemogenetics as tools to investigate mechanisms of epileptogenesis with the aim to develop these techniques as possible therapeutic approach to suppress seizures.
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Neurology
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Collaborations the last five years
Profiles
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Susanne Jonsson
- Clinical Neurophysiology - Biomedical analyst
- Epilepsy Center - Biomedical analyst
- Inflammation and Stemcell Therapy Group - Research project participant
- Experimental Epilepsy Group - Research project participant
- MultiPark: Multidisciplinary research on neurodegenerative diseases - Member of Strategic Research Area
- Biomarkers in Brain Disease - Biomedical analyst
Person
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Merab Kokaia
- Epilepsy Center - Principal investigator
- Neurology, Lund - Professor
- Experimental Epilepsy Group - Project manager
- NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience - Member of Strategic Research Area
- LTH Profile Area: Nanoscience and Semiconductor Technology - Profile area member
- LU Profile Area: Light and Materials - Profile area member
Person
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Marco Ledri
- Epilepsy Center - Principal investigator, Head of office, Associate researcher
- Experimental Epilepsy Group - Research project participant
- Molecular Neurophysiology and Epilepsy group - Research team manager
Person
Research output
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Gene therapy for epilepsy: An emerging, promising approach for a serious neurological disorder
Ledri, M. & Kokaia, M., 2026 Mar, In: Journal of Internal Medicine. 299, 3, p. 302-327 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Dose-Dependent Effects of Myo-Inositol on Kainic Acid-Induced Epilepsy: Electrophysiological, Behavioral, Transcriptomic, and DNA Methylome Studies
Kharkhelauri, L., Gamkrelidze, G., Bokuchava, V., Tsverava, L., Lepsveridze, E., Lagani, V., Kokaia, M. & Solomonia, R., 2025 Nov, In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 26, 22, 11102.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
AAV-mediated gene therapy for focal epilepsy by expressing neuropeptide Y and Y2 receptor in rodent and non-human primate hippocampus
Terzic, B., Melin, E., Fagergren, P., Dobry, D., Cattaneo, S., Giupponi, I., Bettegazzi, B., Simonato, M., Agerman, K., Kokaia, M., Moon, L. & Ramsburg, E., 2025 Sept 3, In: Molecular Therapy. 33, 9, p. 4239-4258 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
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Gene therapy with precision targeting for epilepsy
Kokaia, M. (PI)
Olle Engkvists stiftelse, Swedish Research Council
2022/01/01 → 2026/12/31
Project: Research
Activities
- 2 Organisation of conference
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Neuroscience Day 2025
Garwicz, M. (Member of programme committee), Kokaia, M. (Member of programme committee), Ekdahl Clementson, C. (Member of programme committee), Ottosson, D. (Member of programme committee), Mårtensson, J. (Member of programme committee), Heuer, A. (Member of programme committee), Mattsson-Carlgren, N. (Member of programme committee), Petersén, Å. (Member of programme committee), Parmar, M. (Member of programme committee), Castilla-Vallmanya, L. (Member of programme committee), Kidnapillai, S. (Organiser), Castilla-Vallmanya, L. (Organiser), Scott, S. (Invited speaker), Humbert, S. (Invited speaker), Heinrich, C. (Invited speaker), Böhme, R. (Invited speaker), Lozano, A. (Keynote/plenary speaker), Adami, A. (Presenter), Atudorei, M. (Presenter), Bergh, S. (Presenter), Gornov, A. (Presenter) & Martinez Curiel, R. (Presenter)
2025 May 8Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organisation of conference
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Neuroscience Day 2021
Parmar, M. (Organiser), Garwicz, M. (Organiser), Björklund, A. (Organiser), Ekdahl Clementson, C. (Organiser), Norrving, B. (Member of programme committee), Petersén, Å. (Organiser), Hansson, O. (Member of programme committee), COMPAGNO STRANDBERG, M. (Member of programme committee), Pettersson, P. (Organiser), Wyart, C. (Invited speaker), Heilig, M. (Invited speaker), Carlen, M. (Invited speaker), Gonzalez Ramos, A. (Presenter), Dickson, E. (Presenter), Andersson, E. (Presenter), Brolin, K. (Presenter), Avallone, M. (Presenter), Bechet, N. (Presenter), Ewers, M. (Invited speaker), Götz, M. (Keynote/plenary speaker) & Ottosson, D. (Chair)
2021 May 6Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organisation of conference
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