Envisioning personalized treatment for patients living with epilepsy
Find out how donations are making CHUM teams’ inspiring ideas a reality.
Imagine if doctors could make a personalized “genetic avatar” for every epilepsy patient and use it to identify the most effective treatment for that individual. This innovative approach could change countless lives—and thanks to donation-supported research led by Dr. Éric Samarut, researcher at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM), it may become a reality.
Acting faster than epilepsy with precision medicine
Today, epilepsy treatments are too often chosen through trial and error. This is a long, unpredictable process that can have irreversible effects on patients’ health and compromise the future effectiveness of their medication.
Nearly a third of the 350,000 patients living with epilepsy in Canada do not respond well to existing medications. Their quality of life is lowered, as they continue to experience seizures.
CRCHUM’s scientists are tackling the issue by using the latest developments in genomics and precision medicine to respond faster, more effectively and in a more personalized way to each patient as soon as their treatment begins.
“Thanks to these donations, we’re developing technology that will help us give every patient treatment based on their own genetics. Philanthropy gives us the freedom to explore new ideas and turn them into real solutions for everyone.”
A key step toward creating personalized genetic avatars
The teams developed several specific lines of zebrafish—a valuable model for biomedical research. These lines replicate the genetic mutations responsible for epilepsy and the treatment responses observed in patients, allowing researchers to test out the best treatment for each individual.
This precision medicine research initiative and the creation of personalized genetic avatars promise to revolutionize the care experience for epilepsy patients, both at the CHUM and around the world.
Thanks to our generous donors, philanthropy is driving the future of medicine and building a more compassionate, precise and effective healthcare system, here at the CHUM.
“This bike-a-thon was a new and very tangible way for us at the Foundation to channel the dedication that inspires our daily work. Pedalling side by side, cheering on our colleagues, pushing our limits as a team: every minute in the saddle reminded us why we do this job.” — Pascale Bouchard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CHUM Foundation
