Julie Werenberg Dreier

Project title

Impact of Childhood Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders on Brain Health – The Epi-Impact Project

What is your project about?

Epilepsy and febrile seizures affect approximately 1 in 20 children, and in my previous research, I have shown that both conditions may be associated with an increased risk of severe mental illnesses in later life. However, this may only be the tip of the iceberg, and we still lack knowledge about how these seizure disorders affect brain health and development more broadly. In Denmark, we have some of the world's best conditions for conducting large population studies, and with this grant I will establish a unique data resource where nationwide health registers are integrated with large genetic datasets and data from schools. We will conduct comprehensive analyses of how epilepsy and febrile seizures affect various aspects of brain development throughout childhood and investigate how the children's genetic vulnerability contributes to these correlations at the population level.

How did you become interested in your particular field of research?

I have a background in public health, and ever since being introduced to epidemiology and biostatistics in my first semester, I have been hooked. Working in epidemiology allows me to combine my quantitative and analytical skills with my passion for health science. I am motivated by a desire to find new ways in which data, that are systematically registered here in Denmark, can be transformed into knowledge for the benefit of individuals and for society. My specific interest in the neurological field emerged during my PhD and postdoc studies. Globally, there are only few epidemiologists who have dedicated their focus to epilepsy and febrile seizures, despite both conditions being widespread and potentially very severe, especially epilepsy. Therefore, there is a real opportunity to make a significant contribution to this field, which makes my work incredibly meaningful.

What are the scientific challenges and perspectives in your project?

When conducting register-based research, data often originate from sources collected fo rpurposes other than research, such as administrative purposes, which can pose certain challenges. For instance, we may be interested in more detailed clinical information about the children's diagnoses than what is available in the registers. This makes it challenging to precisely delineate specific subgroups of interest (e.g. children with specific types of epilepsy or children with simple versus complex febrile seizures), hence highlighting the crucial need for interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that data are utilized in the most appropriate manner. However, registries also offer numerous advantages, such as their extensive coverage, enabling the inclusion of millions of children into our studies, reducing the risk of selection bias, and allowing for comprehensive follow-up.

What is your estimate of the impact, which your project may have to society in the long term?

With Epi-Impact, we will systematically map out how epilepsy and febrile seizures in childhood affect various aspects of brain function and health – knowledge that is highly requested by healthcare professionals, patient organizations, and affected families. By doing so, we aim to establish a solid knowledge base for the benefit of the millions of families worldwide affected by epilepsy and febrile seizures and who live with the consequences of these disorders every day. This knowledge base will create a foundation for future prevention efforts and provide insights that can directly inform patient and parent counselling.

Which impact do you expect the Sapere Aude programme will have on your career as a researcher?

Receiving a Sapere Aude: DFF-Starting Grant is a tremendous vote of confidence and recognition, providing lots of motivation to continue. With this grant, I will have the opportunity to expand my research team, develop my leadership skills, and strengthen my network of collaborators both nationally and internationally. Additionally, the grant will support the establishment of a unique data resource, which holds significant potential for both my current and future epidemiological research efforts into childhood brain disorders.

Background and personal life

After completing high school, my (now) husband Lasse and I moved to Esbjerg to study public health science. Although we initially expected our stay in Esbjerg to be temporary while we studied, we settled in so well that we ended up staying. Therefore, we still reside in Esbjerg today, along with our two children, aged 9 and 12, and our dog. When I'm not commuting to the office in Aarhus, I enjoy spending time with the rest of the family at home, in the garden, at (the kids') badminton tournaments, going for walks with the dog, and traveling - especially when the travels involve sun or skiing.