University of Otago pharmacist Dr Shakila Rizwan has secured more than $137,000 in funding to develop a promising new technique to treat drug-resistant epilepsy involving administering drugs to the brain via the nose.
Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Chief Executive Dr Kathryn McPherson says Dr Rizwan is one of nine up-in-coming researchers to receive an Emerging Researcher First Grant in the HRC’s 2015 funding round. After a vigorous independent peer review process, eight of the nine researchers funded through this grant come from the University of Otago.
“Our emerging researcher grants, which this year total more than $1.3 million, support the career development of some of our best and brightest health researchers. These young people are outstanding in their respective research fields, and with these grants they will be able to conduct research that will benefit the health of all New Zealanders.”
Epilepsy is a common brain disorder, with up to 40 per cent of sufferers failing to achieve good seizure control. This is because conventional oral therapy falls short in getting high enough levels of anti-epileptic drugs to the region of the brain from which the seizures start.
“Treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy is currently limited to surgical removal of the seizure-generating area in the brain. This is an invasive procedure that is only suitable for up to 10 per cent of patients and has a high risk of functional impairment,” says Dr Rizwan.
Dr Rizwan plans to increase the concentration of anti-epileptic drugs in the brain by packing them in small biological carriers and administering them via the nose. She says this is because the nasal cavity is a site for direct absorption of drugs into the brain; administration through the nose is also safe and convenient for the patient.
“If successful, our technology will offer patients in New Zealand and internationally a non-invasive and cost-effective option for more seizure-free intervals.”
HRC Emerging Researcher First Grant recipients for 2015
Dr Mary (Max) Berry, University of Otago, Wellington
Premature celebration? The late effects of early birth
24 months, $149,941
Dr Shyamal Das, University of Otago, Dunedin
Formulation of anti-tuberculosis drugs for high dose pulmonary delivery
36 months, $143,767
Dr Khoon Lim, University of Otago, Christchurch
Growth factors delivery system for bone regeneration and vascularisation
36 months, $146,048
Dr Clare Reynolds, the University of Auckland
IL-1 signalling and developmental programming of offspring metabolic health
36 months, $141,968
Dr Daniel Ribeiro, University of Otago, Dunedin
The effectiveness of a monitor and feedback device for changing postural behaviour
36 months, $146,824
Dr Shakila Rizwan, University of Otago, Dunedin
The nose knows the way: An intranasal approach to treat drug-resistant epilepsy
36 months, $137,636
Dr Euan Rodger, University of Otago, Dunedin
Developing a diagnostic tool for myelodysplastic syndrome
36 months, $143,998
Dr Lisa Te Morenga, University of Otago, Dunedin
Systematic review and meta-analyses on health effects of dietary carbohydrates
36 months, $149,999
Dr James Ussher, University of Otago, Dunedin
Mucosal associated invariant T cells: mechanisms of bacterial control in humans
36 months, $150,000
View lay summaries of any of the projects listed above.