Javier Escudero has been awarded £2 million from the EPSRC to develop technology that uses brainwave readings and AI to detect seizures earlier and track treatment response, making it easier and quicker to diagnose epilepsy in children, especially severe types like infantile spasms. Dr Javier Escudero from the School of Engineering has been awarded £2 million from the EPSRC to develop a simple, portable brain-monitoring tool that can be used in local clinics or even at home. His team will develop technology that uses brainwave readings and AI to detect seizures earlier and track treatment response, making it easier and quicker to diagnose epilepsy in children, especially severe types like infantile spasms. The project is called Enabling the early and equitable diagnosis of epilepsy in infants in the community (EPIC). It will pursue an interdisciplinary, multi-organisation approach with lived experience and clinical practice at the heart of its work. This will include researchers, advocates and R&D teams from across the University of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian and the following partners:UK Infantile Spasms TrustEpilepsy ScotlandBrainsViewUCB Pharma (UK)Epilepsy Research Institute UKNewcastle UniversitySYNGAP1 UKThe new technology will reduce stress, speed up access to care, and improve long-term outcomes for children and families across the country. The project is part of a wider EPSRC initiative - Supporting NHS Long Term Plan - which aims to:improve early detection of major health conditionsshift more care into the communityreduce pressure on hospital services Read more about New tools aim to improve early diagnosis and ease NHS pressure Publication date 03 Oct, 2025
