Research profile and aims.

The Epilepsy Research Group of Oslo (ERGO) has been active in epilepsy research for more than 25 years and is one of the oldest research groups in Department of Neurology. It conducts translational and clinical research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of epileptic brain hyperexcitability and improving treatment for people with epilepsy. Our work spans basic neuroscience, translational models, and clinical studies, allowing us to investigate epilepsy across biological scales - from molecular mechanisms and cellular network dynamics to patient outcomes and disease progression.

A central focus of the group is the role of neuron-glia interactions in epileptic brain networks. While epilepsy research has traditionally focused on neuronal mechanisms, increasing evidence suggests that glial cells, in particularly astrocytes and microglia, play key roles in regulating brain excitability and may actively contribute to epileptogenesis.

Another major focus of our research is status epilepticus (SE), one of the most severe neurological emergencies. Through strong international collaborations, we conduct both clinical and translational research aimed at understanding mechanisms of neuronal injury, identifying predictors of outcome, and improving strategies for early seizure termination in SE.

By combining experimental neuroscience with clinical studies and international collaborative networks, our goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets, improve prognostic tools, and ultimately contribute to better treatment strategies for patients with epilepsy and related disorders.

Research themes:

For more detailed information: see under "ongoing projects"

Neuron-glia interactions and brain hyperexcitability
Investigating how astrocytes and other glial cells regulate neuronal networks and contribute to brain hyperexcitability and epileptic activity.

Epileptogenesis and molecular mechanisms of epilepsy
Studying genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional changes during the transition from a healthy brain to chronic epilepsy.

Status epilepticus and neuroprotection
Clinical and translational research focused on mechanisms of neuronal injury, predictors of outcome, and strategies for effective seizure termination.

Innovative technologies for seizure prediction and control
Developing advanced experimental systems combining imaging, electrophysiology, and artificial intelligence to detect and prevent seizures.

Is epilepsy a progressive disease? 
This is a prospective longitudinal follow-up study on people with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (Pro-TLE), focusing on changes of the clinical, radiological (MRI) and neuropsychological status over a period of 10 years.

Epilepsy and cardiology
It has become increasingly clear that several epilepsies are channelopathies, as are many cardiac arrhythmias. This is of central importance for understanding sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The project aims to explore causes and mechanisms underlying SUDEP. 

Traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic epilepsy
The purpose of the study is to identify early risk factors for the development of posttraumatic seizures, both in the form of early posttraumatic seizures (EPTS) and later development of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE).

The Prehospital Seizure Control trial – (PreCtrl) 
The intention is to describe the prehospital and initial in-hospital pathways and treatment of patients with seizures, to standardize national EMS guidelines and improve time to control in seizure management. 

In addition to these main areas of research, the group also has interests in epilepsy and endocrinology, women and epilepsy, ketogenic diet, epilepsy and dementia and genetics in epilepsy.