Australian Epilepsy Project - AEP

09/03/2026

The Australian Epilepsy Project was honoured to be part of the recent EmpowerHER Epilepsy Forum held on Saturday, hosted by Epilepsy Action Australia in partnership with Australian Women with Epilepsy.

Held in Darling Harbour, Sydney, and joined by women attending online from across Australia, the forum brought together clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience to share knowledge, perspectives and support for women living with epilepsy.

With International Women’s Day on Sunday, the weekend was a powerful reminder of the importance of amplifying women’s voices in health, research and advocacy.

AEP’s Participant and Lived Experience Lead, Amanda Anderson, presented on the work of the Australian Epilepsy Project and also joined the lived experience panel, sharing insights about the importance of research, collaboration and ensuring the voices of people living with epilepsy are at the centre of future advances in care.

With Carol Ireland as MC, the forum featured an exceptional lineup of guest speakers and lived-experience voices including Dr Kaitlyn Parratt, Danielle Heaven, Nikyah Hutchings, Indie Kelly, Emma Copeman, Susan Don, Dr Zoe Thayer, Milena Gandy, Dr Ella Stephens, Dr Emily Sutherland, Dr Alison McLean and Lisa Todd. Their expertise and perspectives helped create an honest, informative and empowering conversation about the many aspects of women’s health and epilepsy.

We extend our sincere thanks to Epilepsy Action Australia and Australian Women with Epilepsy for the invitation and for creating such a thoughtful and empowering space for learning, discussion and connection.

Events like this play a vital role in bringing the community together and strengthening the shared mission to improve the lives of people living with epilepsy. 💜

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

06/03/2026

Real impact. Real people. Real hope.

At 42, Wendy was working as a nurse in a regional private hospital when she experienced her first seizure. What followed were 11 incredibly challenging years marked by frequent and often daily seizures.

Despite being prescribed numerous medications, nothing worked. In 2017, she was admitted for video EEG monitoring and even had a seizure while under observation, yet no cause for her epilepsy could be identified.

After more than a decade without answers, Wendy came across the AEP on Facebook in 2024 and submitted an expression of interest. Our team connected with her neurologist, who referred her into the project.

Using the AEP’s unique MRI sequencing protocol, we identified multiple temporal encephaloceles, which is a potentially curable cause of epilepsy that had previously gone undetected.

Wendy has undergone further monitoring and detailed investigations to assess her suitability for surgery. We’re pleased to share that she has now been scheduled for Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), a minimally invasive surgical procedure, this August.

For 11 years, Wendy lived without answers. Today, she has a possible path toward seizure freedom.

This is why the AEP exists to uncover causes of epilepsy, change clinical pathways, and give people back their futures.



The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

01/03/2026

It’s March – let’s Make March Purple 💜

Purple is the official colour of epilepsy, and March is the month we recognise the 270,000+ Australians living with epilepsy, along with their families, carers and communities.

At the Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP), we are on a mission to change the lives of people living with epilepsy. We are seeing real-life impact through earlier diagnosis, advanced imaging, and access to care that can be life changing.

Throughout March, we’ll be sharing life changing stories of impact, important research, as well as an exciting announcement!

💜 Meet AEP participant, William.

William Campbell, a 26-year-old university student, was referred to the AEP in January 2023 after being diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Since the age of 12 or 13, William had experienced episodes described as “dissociative events.” Over time, they intensified to as many as three per day. He had also recently experienced his first tonic-clonic seizure.

Previous MRI scans had returned normal results. But under the AEP’s advanced MRI testing protocol in February 2023, an abnormality was detected, right hippocampal sclerosis.

That finding changed everything.

It opened the door to surgery and the possibility of a cure.

In November 2024, less than two years after his diagnosis, William underwent brain surgery, a right temporal lobectomy. He has been seizure-free ever since.

This is the difference access can make.

The AEP is providing national access to advanced testing that is often only available in tertiary hospitals when surgery is already being considered. Earlier detection means earlier options and for some, the chance to live seizure-free.

This March, help us Make March Purple 💜

Together, we can change what’s possible for people living with epilepsy.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

23/02/2026

At the Australian Epilepsy Project, we’re building national infrastructure to deliver precision medicine for epilepsy.

By implementing a serverless MRI processing platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS), we’ve:

✅ Reduced MRI processing time from 25 to 20 hours per participant
✅ Lowered compute costs by over 35%
✅ Enabled secure, scanner-to-cloud DICOM ingestion nationwide
✅ Streamlined workflows for clinicians and researchers
✅ Scaled reliably across 1,500+ participants in 5 states

Using services such as AWS Health Imaging and Amazon Elastic Container Service, we’ve created a secure, scalable, and cost-efficient neuroimaging pipeline that helps deliver faster insights to clinicians and ultimately better outcomes for people living with epilepsy.

Precision medicine at national scale is no longer aspirational, it’s operational.

Learn how a serverless MRI pipeline on AWS is accelerating medical imaging workflows and insights. 👩‍⚕️📊
👉 Read the blog post here: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/publicsector/building-a-serverless-mri-pipeline-for-precision-medicine-on-aws/

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Amazon Web Services

The Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) is transforming epilepsy diagnosis and care across Australia. The AEP team faced a daunting challenge: processing and analyzing 20-hour magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) workflows for participants and clinicians scattered across the country. Their solution—a se...

09/02/2026

Today (second Monday of February) is International Epilepsy Day, an initiative of the ILAE - International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) to dispel myths, educate, and foster a more inclusive and supportive world for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy Action Australia acknowledges this day and the word “action” in our name signifies our ongoing commitment to this aim.

Today is also a great time to register for the month-long March campaign held in Australia, culminating in international Purple Day, March 26, founded by a young Cassidy Megan in Nova Scotia, and now celebrated by countries across the globe.

In Australia we are calling on you to Purple Up! It is our day, our year: 26 March 2026. Together we can make a difference for the one in 26 who will be diagnosed with epilepsy and the 266,000 Australians living with the condition right now!

Register here: https://purpleup4epilepsyaction.gofundraise.com.au/

05/02/2026

AI in healthcare doesn’t have to be hype driven.

In this Talking HealthTech episode, Dr Jill Freyne highlights the Australian Epilepsy Project as an example of AI for good. Targeted, integrated solutions designed to create meaningful impact for patients. Thanks, Peter Birch for showcasing this important conversation.

Real use cases. Real outcomes.

🎙️ Tune in now.
https://community.talkinghealthtech.com/c/podcast/582-north-star-vs-shiny-star-supporting-healthcare-workers-and-patient-outcomes-with-ai-db6e2019-633a-4150-ab3a-2c5c61711719



The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Amazon Web Services
Talking HealthTech

Login to THT+ Community community via email or SSO today.

16/01/2026

We’re thrilled to be part of the Amazon Web Services Web Services (AWS) campaign Pull the Future Forward series in The Age on Monday. Prof. Graeme Jackson, Anton de Weger, and Amanda Anderson proudly share the impact of the Australian Epilepsy Project, and how platform healthcare and AI are changing the lives of people living with epilepsy.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

10/11/2025

✨Epilepsy Society of Australia (ESA) 39th Annual Scientific Meeting – Perth ✨

Last week, several members of the AEP team attended the Epilepsy Society of Australia’s 39th Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth.

🗣️ AEP Chief Investigator Prof. Graeme Jackson presented a fantastic session on Imaging biomarkers of epileptogenesis.

🧠 Dr David Vaughan presented his research on Neuroimaging in first seizures and newly diagnosed epilepsy.

🧩 Dr Chris Tailby shared his research on Neuropsychological morbidity in newly diagnosed adult epilepsy.

Heath Pardoe, Andy Sitoh, Henry Johns, Carmen Zheng, Rohan Rahman and Suyi Ooi also showcased their work through poster presentations. A special congratulations to Dr Suyi Ooi on her achievement winning Best Poster! 👏

To round off the week, Debbie Marques and Heath Pardoe attended the Purple Shadow Gala for Epilepsy WA on Saturday night with Carol Ireland and Paul Quilliam, helping raise funds to support people living with epilepsy across Western Australia. 💜

We’re proud of our team’s contributions and continued commitment to advancing epilepsy research and care.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

29/10/2025

🎉 Research spotlight!

We’re thrilled to share that Dr Jodie Chapman, neuropsychologist and Research Officer with the Australian Epilepsy Project, has just published an important new paper exploring how neuropsychological assessments can be delivered remotely. 🧠💻

Her research looks at how teleneuropsychology (TeleNP), using videoconference technology can be used effectively to assess thinking skills like speed and attention. Specifically, the study compares oral and digital versions of two well-known cognitive tests, the Symbol Digit Modalities Task (SDMT) and Trail Making Test (TMT), with their traditional written versions.

This work highlights how remote assessment methods can expand access to neuropsychological services, especially for people in rural and remote areas, while maintaining high-quality data and reliability.

👏 Congratulations, Jodie, on contributing to the future of accessible, innovative neuropsychology testing!

Read more here: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617725101124

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Videoconference-integrated, computer-assisted cognitive testing improves the remote assessment of processing speed and attention

27/10/2025

🚶‍♀️💜 Over the past 25 days, AEP team members Amanda Anderson, Rebecca Forgasz and Donna Parker have walked more than 300km for the 1 in 25 Australians living with epilepsy.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s supported us during another incredible . Together, we’re helping raise vital funds and awareness for people living with epilepsy across Australia.

While the official walk wrapped up on Saturday, our fundraising page is still open, and we’re so close to reaching our $3,000 goal! 🎯

👉 Please consider making a donation and helping us cross the finish line:

https://www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/fundraisers/australianepilepsyproject

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Epilepsy Foundation of Australia

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

23/10/2025

🟣 Invisible Disabilities Week - October 19–25, 2025 🟣

Not all disabilities can be seen but they all deserve understanding and support. This week, we’re recognising Invisible Disabilities Week and standing with those living with conditions that aren’t always visible to others.

One of these conditions is epilepsy, which affects over 250,000 Australians. The Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) is working to change lives through advanced brain imaging, genetics, and cognitive testing, helping people with epilepsy access advanced testing and treatment 💜

Let’s raise awareness, show our support, and work together to break the stigma around invisible disabilities.

Learn more here: https://www.invisibledisabilities.com.au

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Invisible Disabilities promotes instant recognition and response to support your needs when you wear your Lanyard . We are working to change perceptions and the built environment to make your life a whole lot easier.

15/10/2025

📅 Mark your calendars: tomorrow is the day your impact goes twice as far! 💜🙌

It's DOUBLE DONATION DAY!! ! 💜

Thanks to the generous support of Nexon Asia Pacific and UCB, donations received tomorrow will be doubled. That means twice the impact for people living with epilepsy.

The AEP team has been hitting the pavement and powering through 100km in 25 days for the 1 in 25 Australians who will be diagnosed with epilepsy.

We’re proud to be walking alongside:

🔹 Epilepsy Foundation of Australia

🔹 Epilepsy Queensland

🔹 Epilepsy Tasmania

🔹 Epilepsy ACT

Every step counts towards raising vital funds and awareness.

If you’re able to support, please consider donating tomorrow for double the impact:

👉https://www.walkforepilepsy.org.au/fundraisers/australianepilepsyproject

Let’s keep moving for a cause that matters. 💪



The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.