Australian Epilepsy Project - AEP

10/11/2025

✨Epilepsy Society of Australia (ESA) 39th Annual Scientific Meeting – Perth ✨

Last week, several members of the AEP team attended the Epilepsy Society of Australia’s 39th Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth.

🗣️ AEP Chief Investigator Prof. Graeme Jackson presented a fantastic session on Imaging biomarkers of epileptogenesis.

🧠 Dr David Vaughan presented his research on Neuroimaging in first seizures and newly diagnosed epilepsy.

🧩 Dr Chris Tailby shared his research on Neuropsychological morbidity in newly diagnosed adult epilepsy.

Heath Pardoe, Andy Sitoh, Henry Johns, Carmen Zheng, Rohan Rahman and Suyi Ooi also showcased their work through poster presentations. A special congratulations to Dr Suyi Ooi on her achievement winning Best Poster! 👏

To round off the week, Debbie Marques and Heath Pardoe attended the Purple Shadow Gala for Epilepsy WA on Saturday night with Carol Ireland and Paul Quilliam, helping raise funds to support people living with epilepsy across Western Australia. 💜

We’re proud of our team’s contributions and continued commitment to advancing epilepsy research and care.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

29/10/2025

🎉 Research spotlight!

We’re thrilled to share that Dr Jodie Chapman, neuropsychologist and Research Officer with the Australian Epilepsy Project, has just published an important new paper exploring how neuropsychological assessments can be delivered remotely. 🧠💻

Her research looks at how teleneuropsychology (TeleNP), using videoconference technology can be used effectively to assess thinking skills like speed and attention. Specifically, the study compares oral and digital versions of two well-known cognitive tests, the Symbol Digit Modalities Task (SDMT) and Trail Making Test (TMT), with their traditional written versions.

This work highlights how remote assessment methods can expand access to neuropsychological services, especially for people in rural and remote areas, while maintaining high-quality data and reliability.

👏 Congratulations, Jodie, on contributing to the future of accessible, innovative neuropsychology testing!

Read more here: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617725101124

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Videoconference-integrated, computer-assisted cognitive testing improves the remote assessment of processing speed and attention

27/10/2025

🚶‍♀️💜 Over the past 25 days, AEP team members Amanda Anderson, Rebecca Forgasz and Donna Parker have walked more than 300km for the 1 in 25 Australians living with epilepsy.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s supported us during another incredible . Together, we’re helping raise vital funds and awareness for people living with epilepsy across Australia.

While the official walk wrapped up on Saturday, our fundraising page is still open, and we’re so close to reaching our $3,000 goal! 🎯

👉 Please consider making a donation and helping us cross the finish line:

https://www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/fundraisers/australianepilepsyproject

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Epilepsy Foundation of Australia

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

23/10/2025

🟣 Invisible Disabilities Week - October 19–25, 2025 🟣

Not all disabilities can be seen but they all deserve understanding and support. This week, we’re recognising Invisible Disabilities Week and standing with those living with conditions that aren’t always visible to others.

One of these conditions is epilepsy, which affects over 250,000 Australians. The Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) is working to change lives through advanced brain imaging, genetics, and cognitive testing, helping people with epilepsy access advanced testing and treatment 💜

Let’s raise awareness, show our support, and work together to break the stigma around invisible disabilities.

Learn more here: https://www.invisibledisabilities.com.au

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Invisible Disabilities promotes instant recognition and response to support your needs when you wear your Lanyard . We are working to change perceptions and the built environment to make your life a whole lot easier.

15/10/2025

📅 Mark your calendars: tomorrow is the day your impact goes twice as far! 💜🙌

It's DOUBLE DONATION DAY!! ! 💜

Thanks to the generous support of Nexon Asia Pacific and UCB, donations received tomorrow will be doubled. That means twice the impact for people living with epilepsy.

The AEP team has been hitting the pavement and powering through 100km in 25 days for the 1 in 25 Australians who will be diagnosed with epilepsy.

We’re proud to be walking alongside:

🔹 Epilepsy Foundation of Australia

🔹 Epilepsy Queensland

🔹 Epilepsy Tasmania

🔹 Epilepsy ACT

Every step counts towards raising vital funds and awareness.

If you’re able to support, please consider donating tomorrow for double the impact:

👉https://www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/fundraisers/australianepilepsyproject

Let’s keep moving for a cause that matters. 💪



The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

14/10/2025

🟣 Today is SUDEP Action Day 🟣

SUDEP stands for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. When a person with epilepsy dies suddenly and without warning, often during sleep. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it’s thought to involve complications with breathing and heart function following a seizure.

Although rare, SUDEP is a devastating reality, and awareness is key to prevention.
✅ The risk of SUDEP can be reduced by:
Achieving the best possible seizure control through medication
Following a personalised epilepsy management plan
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/emp/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Client-EMP&utm_content=epilepsy.org.au%2Femp&utm_source=comms.epilepsy.org.au

At the AEP, our mission is to transform the lives of people with epilepsy by democratising access to advanced epilepsy diagnostics and helping to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of SUDEP for all.

💜 You're not alone. For support, please reach out to:

Epilepsy Action Australia
Epilepsy Foundation of Australia
Epilepsy Queensland
Epilepsy WA
Epilepsy Tasmania
Epilepsy ACT
The Epilepsy Centre



The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

02/10/2025

The prestigious Australian AI Awards 2025 celebrate the innovators shaping Australia’s future, from finance and law to defence, aerospace, and beyond.
More information here: https://www.australianaiawards.com.au/

We're proud to share that Anton de Weger, newly appointed Executive Lead of the Australian Epilepsy Project, has been nominated for AI Leader of the Year – SME! 👏

A huge recognition of his leadership and impact in the AI space.
💡

The Australia AI Awards 2025 dinner will be held on Wednesday 5 November at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, and bring together business leaders across Australia to celebrate the achievements and excellence of the industry’s best and brightest.

Good Luck Anton!

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
The University of Melbourne
Amazon Web Services

19/09/2025

🚶‍♀️💜 We’re over halfway through and just $725 away from hitting our fundraising goal for the Australian Epilepsy Project!

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who’s donated so far, your support means the world 💜

Haven’t donated yet? There’s still time to help us make a real difference for people living with epilepsy. Every step counts. Every dollar matters.

👉 Donate here:

🔗 https://step4epilepsyactionactionau.gofundraise.com.au/page/AustralianEpilepsyProject

Let’s cross that finish line together!

💪

Epilepsy Action Australia The Epilepsy Centre Epilepsy WA

At the Australian Epilepsy Project, our mission is clear: to improve outcomes for people living with epilepsy. While we continue to drive groundbreaking research, we’re also stepping up in another meaningful way — through Step 4 Epilepsy Action, a fundraising initiative close to our hearts.Every...

15/09/2025

Great to see AEP Chief Investigator Prof. Graeme D Jackson and AEP participant William Campbell featured in the Herald Sun yesterday! William shared his inspiring journey to seizure freedom and how his life has transformed since taking part in the AEP Study.

📖 Read more here:

https://www-heraldsun-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.heraldsun.com.au/health/conditions/ai-shows-how-people-with-epilepsy-can-live-seizure-free/news-story/e500b10bffe51e8e61cf595c7dc04a11?amp

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

The University of Melbourne

11/09/2025

📢 The Australian Epilepsy Project hailed as an exemplar for transforming lives.

The Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) was honoured to welcome The Hon. Mark Butler MP in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

“The 10-year anniversary of the MRFF is a significant milestone and a reminder of its enduring impact on Australian health and medical research. It has already had a huge impact on the lives of Australians, with many thousands more set to benefit from groundbreaking work,” said Minister Butler.

Prof. Graeme Jackson, Chief Investigator of the AEP, added:
“The AEP translates and extends over 30 years of Florey research in imaging, genetics and neuropsychology into patient outcomes, positively impacting the lives of many Australians living with or recently diagnosed with epilepsy. The Florey is proud to be a world leader in exploring the technology driven future of health care.”

🔈 Read the full Press Release:

https://www.markbutler.net.au/news/media-releases/ten-years-of-the-life-changing-medical-research-future-fund

More here:

https://florey.edu.au/news/2025/09/the-australian-epilepsy-project-hailed-as-an-exemplar-for-transforming-lives/

A sincere thank you to our partners at The Florey and the University of Melbourne for joining us on this special occasion.

The Hon. Mark Butler Mark Butler, Graeme D Jackson, William Campbell, Chris Blake, Peter van Wijngaarden, Andrew Barlow, Katie Liddicoat, Amanda Anderson, Anton de Weger, Rebecca Forgasz, Paul Lightfoot, Marita Walmsley, Elif Ekinci, James Moody and Jonathan Gooi

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
The University of Melbourne

09/09/2025

We're just over a week into Step 4 Epilepsy, and the Australian Epilepsy Project has already reached more than 50% of our fundraising goal!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. If you've been thinking about donating to our team and helping improve the lives of those living with epilepsy, you can do so at the link below:

🔗 https://step4epilepsyactionactionau.gofundraise.com.au/page/AustralianEpilepsyProject

Every step—and every dollar—makes a difference.

Epilepsy Action Australia The Epilepsy Centre Epilepsy WA

01/09/2025

It’s Go Time! 🌟

The team at the Australian Epilepsy Project is officially stepping into action!

It's the 1st day of spring; Step 4 Epilepsy Action Australia is underway — and we’re hitting the ground walking! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Every step we take this September brings us closer to the goal of 27 million steps — that’s 100 steps for every Australian living with epilepsy.

Help us make every step count. 💜

Support our team by donating here:

👉

At the Australian Epilepsy Project, our mission is clear: to improve outcomes for people living with epilepsy. While we continue to drive groundbreaking research, we’re also stepping up in another meaningful way — through Step 4 Epilepsy Action, a fundraising initiative close to our hearts.Every...