Research from RCSI will once again be showcased on the latest episode of RTÉ television series ‘10 Things to Know About...’

In this programme, which airs tonight at 8.30pm on RTÉ One, two significant research projects will be highlighted, both based on studies on the human brain. RCSI researchers, Professor David Henshall, Professor Michael Farrell and Teresa Loftus will feature in the show. 

The series is presented by Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, Kathriona Devereux and Jonathan McCrea, who are investigating some of the most exciting and ground-breaking science projects underway in Ireland. Each episode is themed on a certain scientific topic which gives ten key learnings to viewers on that research area. Tonight's episode is themed on the human brain. 

Episode 4 - "10 Things to Know About... The Brain" 
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It produces our every thought, action, memory, feeling and experience of the world. But what happens to a person's brain when they get epilepsy? To give viewers an understanding of this, Professor David Henshall will detail his work to presenter Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, where he has conducted the first study to link deterioration of parts of the brain with structural changes in patient DNA and gene activity.

Speaking ahead of tonight's episode, Professor Henshall said, "Our research in the epilepsy lab aims to help scientists and epilepsy patients understand what is controlling gene activity in epilepsy so we can potentially prevent seizures from happening in the first place. It was great to show our work to Aoibhinn and I'm looking forward to seeing the programme."