Epilepsy centre given Royal approval

Children with epilepsy will benefit from a new research centre at the University aimed at early diagnosis and treatment.

The Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre will be officially launched by HRH The Princess Royal in her role as the University’s Chancellor.

The new £1million Centre - generously supported by the Muir Maxwell Trust - works to improve the lives of children with epilepsy and their families.

Research with children at heart

Scientists will focus on developing medical and educational treatments for children with epilepsy, and seek to better understanding the psychosocial impact of the condition.

The team will also investigate the influence that a mother’s health and lifestyle can have on the likelihood of her children developing epilepsy.

Epilepsy affects more than 70,000 children in the UK and it is hoped that the Centre will ensure that more sufferers are diagnosed at a younger age.

Early detection of epilepsy allows greater use of preventative measures to control seizures.

Muir Maxwell Trust

The Muir Maxwell Trust was started by Ann and Jonny Maxwell in 2003 after their son Muir was diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy in infancy.

Speaking at the opening of the centre, Ms Maxwell said: "I believe that the work carried out at the centre will lead to improved and better designed support for both the child and their family. I am proud that the Muir Maxwell Trust has been the catalyst to enable this to happen.”

Our new centre aspires to revolutionise research and clinical care in epilepsy on an unprecedented scale in the UK and beyond. We aim to encourage, foster and welcome interdisciplinary collaboration since only then can we truly address the many aspects of epilepsy.

Centres of excellence

The Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre will work closely with the University’s Patrick Wild Centre and the Centre for Neuroregeneration, where world-leading experts are already tackling other neurological conditions including autism, MS and motor neurone disease.

Support from the Muir Maxwell Trust forms part of £20million donated to the University over the past five years in support of neurodevelopment and neuroregeneration research.