Pediatric Epilepsy Research Center

The UW Pediatric Epilepsy Research Center (PERC) was established through joint efforts of the UW School of Medicine and parents of children with epilepsy. It draws on multidisciplinary expertise in neurosciences at the UW and Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Its goal is to advance the understanding and treatment of pediatric epilepsies through laboratory and clinical research.

Dr. Philip Schwartzkroin, professor of neurology and biophysics, is PERC’s director for research; he is a past president of the American Epilepsy Society. Dr. Jong Rho, assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics and a clinician at Children’s, is co-director for translational research. Dr. Richard Winn, chair of neurosurgery, and Dr. Bruce Ransom, chair of neurology, are co-chairs of PERC’s advisory board.

The cornerstone of the center is development of major interdiscplinary research studies. With PERC support, scientists from several departments are investigating the mechanisms by which the keogenic diet - a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet - reduces frequency of seizures in some children with medically intractable epilepsy. In addition, PERC has awarded four grants for pilot projects to UW researchers studying other issues important for understanding epilepsy in the immature brain. ¶