The Turnbull Government will invest $2 million in new medical research to help find a cure for rare genetic epilepsy disorders.
I am pleased to make this announcement on Purple Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages, with around 250,000 Australians living with the condition.
This new funding will support our leading researchers to investigate genetic and other causes of epilepsy including the mutation of the Syngap gene, a rare neurological condition which can lead to epilepsy.
The SYNGAP-1 project will be the first project undertaken by the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund, and will be led by researchers from the respected Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
The Australian Epilepsy Research Fund has been established by the Epilepsy Foundation to provide Australians living with genetic and other types of epilepsy hope for the future through medical research.
The Epilepsy Foundation works with individuals and families, organisations and the community to increase people’s understanding of epilepsy.
I want to thank the Epilepsy Foundation for their tireless commitment in supporting people living with epilepsy and their families, and for their work to establish a medical research fund to fight epilepsy.
It is my hope that this funding contributes to a medical breakthrough that will improve the lives of people living with this condition.
Since 2013 the Coalition Government has invested more than $58 million for epilepsy research through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The Turnbull Government spent more than $71 million on the PBS for medicines to treat epilepsy in 2016–17.
All Australians benefit from the investment in health and medical research.