SERENE

SERENE is the Swiss Epilepsy Research Network, founded by the Swiss League Against Epilepsy in 2019. SERENE is open to all members of the Swiss Epilepsy League who conduct scientific research into epilepsy in Switzerland.

SERENE wants to strengthen epilepsy research in Switzerland through collaboration. One of its aims is to improve access to research-relevant data throughout Switzerland (in line with the provisions of data protection and ethics commissions). Members present new research projects on meetings during major neurological conventions in Switzerland, or online.

Benefits to SERENE members

  • Access to a broad network of Swiss epilepsy researchers that improves exchange and avoids redundancies
  • Help in finding partners for multi-centre projects and recruiting patients for studies
  • Provision of advice and feedback concerning funding
  • Newsletter keeping members up to date

Current projects

Project (click to download PDF)
 Institution / Contact
 In search of IRB Status
Forecasting seizure risk over days using chronic EEG recordings e-Lab Bern University / UCSF – Approved Almost completed
Probing cortical excitability in patients implanted with icEEG e-Lab Bern University / Inselspital Patients Approved Ongoing 2019-2022
Seizures-on-demand: Mouse model of seizures that are triggered using optogenetics e-Lab Bern University / Inselspital – Approved Ongoing 2019-2022
Minimally invasive chronic EEG: Clinical trial of sub-scalp device e-Lab Bern University / Inselspital / Wyss Center Patients Pending Ongoing 2020-2022
Interactions between spatio-temporal epileptic network and memory networks in humans EEG and Epilepsy Unit, HUG, University of Geneva  Patients Pending Pilots
Markers of epileptic activity in simultaneous scalp and intracranial EEG EEG and Epilepsy Unit, HUG, University of Geneva  Partners Approved Ongoing
Source and network analyses of epileptic activity during wakefulness and sleep EEG and Epilepsy Unit, HUG, University of Geneva  Partners Pending Starting
Trimodal characterization of structural and functional brain connectivity in focal epilepsy using concurrent EEG-fMRI and tractography EEG and Epilepsy Unit, HUG, University of Geneva  Patients, Partners Approved Ongoing
“PRESUDE” Brainstem MRI biomarker to PREdict the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Service de Neurologie, CHUV, Lausanne Partners Approved Ongoing
Investigating the effects of closed-loop auditory stimulation on sleep and behavior in children with sleep-dependent epilepsy University Children’s Hospital Zurich Patients Approved Recruitment
Electrophysiological recording of high frequency oscillations (HFO) to characterize epileptogenic brain tissue in patients UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Klinik für Neurochirurgie Partners Approved Funded, ongoing
The connectivity and anatomy of the posterior hippocampal commissure in Humans Universitätsspital Zürich, Klinik für Neurochirurgie – Approved Almost completed
Cognitive profile in elderly epileptic patients treated with perampanel as first add-on Neurocentro della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano Partners Planned Application for funding
CERTA “Continuous EEG Randomized Trial in Adults” CHUV, Lausanne Partners Approved Data analyses ongoing
Therapeutic drug monitoring of newer generation antiepileptic drugs CHUV, Lausanne (Partners) Approved Data collected, currently analysing data
Swiss First Inselspital, Bern; HUG, Geneva – Approved Ongoing
SEVERITY: Quantifying the severity of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) with connected devices Service de Neurologie, CHUV, Lausanne Partners Approved Recruitment ongoing
Predictive models for starting antiseizure medication withdrawal following epilepsy surgery Universitätsspital Zürich, Neurologie Partners Approved Ongoing
High Frequency Oscillations in Pediatric Scalp EEG Reflect Epileptogenesis and Treatment Response University Children’s Hospital Zurich – Approved Ongoing
Scalp HFOs predict the development of epilepsy after neonatal seizures University Children’s Hospital Zurich – Approved Ongoing
Modelling changes in synaptic physiology in paediatric status epilepticus University Children’s Hospital Zurich – Approved Ongoing
Detection of focal cortical dysplasias in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy University Children’s Hospital Zurich – Approved Ongoing
Predictors of cognitive development after epilepsy surgery in the first years of life University Children’s Hospital Zurich – Approved Ongoing
NORSE and longitudinal MRI (inclusion criteria) Universitätsspital Zürich, Neurologie Partners Ongoing

Participating institutions

  • Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Universitätsspital Basel
  • Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel UKBB
  • Universitätsinstitut für Neuroradiologie, Inselspital, Bern
  • Schlaf-Wach-Epilepsie-Zentrum SWEZ, Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Inselspital, Bern
  • Unité d’épileptologie/EEG, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)
  • Unité de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG)
  • Service de Neurologie, CHUV, Lausanne
  • Unité de Neuropédiatrie, CHUV, Lausanne
  • Institution de Lavigny
  • Neurocentro della Svizzera Italiana, Ospedale Civico, Lugano
  • Service de Neurologie, Hôpital du Valais, Sion
  • Neurologische Klinik, Kantonsspital St. Gallen
  • Kinderneurologische Abteilung, Ostschweizer Kinderspital, St.Gallen
  • Klinik Bethesda, Tschugg
  • Schweizerische Epilepsie-Klinik Klinik Lengg, Zürich
  • Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Zürich
  • Kliniken für Neurologie und Neurochirurgie, Universitätsspital Zürich

SERENE is open to further institutions (research institutions, other hospitals) as well as individual basic/translational scientists, neuropsychologists, nurses, social workers, physical, occupational and speech therapists, etc.

Contact SERENE

Advice concerning funding from foundations

Hints from SwissFoundations (D/F) Fundraiso.ch Special service to SERENE members: feedback on foundation applications

Last updated: March 2023