Behavioural outcomes following in utero exposure to antiepileptic drugs
Prenatal exposure to certain antiepileptic drugs is associated with increased risks of adverse anatomical and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including lowered intellectual ability, developmental delay, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. These effects are often referred to as ‘behavioural teratogenesis’. The mechanisms underlying AED-associated behavioural teratogenesis are unknown, but genetic predisposition or AED-induced alterations of the embryonic genome may be implicated. This project aims to characterise the behavioural outcomes following in utero exposure to different antiepileptic drugs and investigate the role of genetic variations as a mechanism for antiepileptic drug-induced behavioural teratogenesis.
Researchers:
- Eliza Honybun (PhD candidate)
- Dr Genevieve Rayner (Primary supervisor)
- Dr Charles Malpas
- A/Prof Piero Perruca
- Prof Frank Vajda
- Prof Terence O'Brien
Enquiries: Eliza Honybun (eliza.honybun@unimelb.edu.au)
--