The Epilepsy Research Centre (previously known as the Epilepsy Research Institute) is Australia's leading clinical epilepsy research group. It comprises a number of research teams from the University of Melbourne, the Brain Research Institute and Austin Health working together to better understand the causes and treatment of epilepsy. We have a strong international reputation in many areas, including the genetics of epilepsy, imaging techniques looking at both the structure of the brain and how it works, surgical treatment and psychological aspects of epilepsy.

Many research collaborations have been established over the years and the number of people associated with the group has grown, as have the areas and disciplines being studied. Our name was changed to the Epilepsy Research Centre in 2003 to formalise the relationships with the University of Melbourne, the Brain Research Institute, Austin Health and other groups. The Centre is part of the Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne at Austin Health and is co-located with the Brain Research Institute in the Neuroscience building at Austin Health with many individuals being members of both.

The Epilepsy Research Centre, directed by Prof. Samuel Berkovic, also incorporates the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, a coordinated clinical service providing specialist care to all patients with epilepsy - both adults and children. Although much of the focus is on difficult to control epilepsy, we have also developed a First Seizure Clinic, enabling rapid diagnosis and appropriate management from the onset of the seizures.

The information on this web site has been divided into two sections:

Research Programs

Here you will find information about many of the different research programs being conducted at the Epilepsy Research Centre.

Patient Information about our Clinical Programs

Here you will find information about the assessment and treatment of epilepsy through the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and Austin Health. Information for patients and referring doctors is included.

How to contact us:

If you would like to know more about the Epilepsy Research Centre you can:

Write to us c/-:
Epilepsy Research Centre
Level 1, Neurosciences Building
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital
Austin Health
Heidelberg West
Victoria 3081
Australia

Fax us at: (+61 3) 9496 2291

Call us at: (+61 3) 9496 2737 or 2330
Please note office hours for enquiries are 9:00am to 5:00pm, but phone messages can be left on an answering machine.

E-mail us at: epilepsy-austin@unimelb.edu.au

Come and see us at:
Level 1, Neuroscience Building
Repatriation Campus
Austin Health
Banksia St (Enter via Gate 1)
Heidelberg West
Victoria 3081
Australia

Melways reference: Map 31 G4