John R. Terry

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John R. Terry is a British mathematician, currently an Interdisciplinary Professorial Fellow and EPSRC Established Career Fellow at the University of Birmingham, [1] where he is Director of the Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine. [2] He was previously Director of the EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare, a £2M initiative funded by the EPSRC. [3] He is well known for the development and application of mathematical techniques in biology and medicine, notably epilepsy and neuroendocrinology. He is a member of the ILAE task force on Network Diseases, [4] , as well as previously being a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of Epilepsy Research UK (2018-2023). [5] He currently serves as Theme Lead for Enabling Technologies of the newly established Epilepsy Research Institute. [6] According to Gateway to Research he has received approaching £13M in research funding, [7] a substantial amount for a mathematician. His research has been recognized internationally, most recently by the University of Melbourne through a Miegunyah Fellowship. [8]

Contents

Career

Terry was an undergraduate at the University of Reading before taking a PhD at the University of Surrey. He has held academic positions at Loughborough University, the University of Bristol, the University of Sheffield and the University of Exeter, before joining the University of Birmingham in 2019. During his time at the University of Exeter he established the Centre for Biomedical Modelling and Analysis, [9] of which he was co-director, [10] supported by the Wellcome Trust.

In 2018 Terry with Dr Wessel Woldman co-founded Neuronostics, [11] a company focussed on epilepsy diagnosis and management. In 2020 Neuronostics was named national start-up of the year by Medilink UK. [12] In 2021 Neuronostics was one of the final four in the Nature SpinOff Prize. [13] In 2022 Neuronostics was named a winner in the Science StartUp category of the Falling Walls Foundation. [14] In 2024 Terry himself was recognised for his work with Neuronostics, being awarded Founder of the Year by TechSpark. [15]

Scientific contributions

As a graduate student, Terry focused on synchronization problems in solid state laser systems, [16] before moving into neuroscience during his postdoctoral career. He is most well known for his work in describing the mechanisms of seizures and susceptibility to epilepsy, [17] utilising mathematical models for the first time in the context of diagnosis [18] and surgery. [19] He is also highly cited in the field of neuroendocrinology, where along with Stafford Lightman he has described the pituitary-adrenal interplay responsible for hourly rhythms in the stress responsive hormone cortisol. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epilepsy</span> Group of neurological disorders causing seizures

Epilepsy is a group of non-communicable neurological disorders characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. An epileptic seizure is the clinical manifestation of an abnormal, excessive, and synchronized electrical discharge in the neurons. The occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures defines epilepsy. The occurrence of just one seizure may warrant the definition in a more clinical usage where recurrence may be able to be prejudged. Epileptic seizures can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These episodes can result in physical injuries, either directly, such as broken bones, or through causing accidents. In epilepsy, seizures tend to recur and may have no detectable underlying cause. Isolated seizures that are provoked by a specific cause such as poisoning are not deemed to represent epilepsy. People with epilepsy may be treated differently in various areas of the world and experience varying degrees of social stigma due to the alarming nature of their symptoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seizure</span> Period of symptoms due to excessive or synchronous neuronal brain activity

A seizure is a period of symptoms due to abnormally excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Outward effects vary from uncontrolled shaking movements involving much of the body with loss of consciousness, to shaking movements involving only part of the body with variable levels of consciousness, to a subtle momentary loss of awareness. These episodes usually last less than two minutes and it takes some time to return to normal. Loss of bladder control may occur.

Anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Anticonvulsants suppress the excessive rapid firing of neurons during seizures. Anticonvulsants also prevent the spread of the seizure within the brain.

Epilepsy Research Institute, formerly Epilepsy Research UK, is a British medical research charity dedicated to funding and supporting research into epilepsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lennox–Gastaut syndrome</span> Rare form of childhood-onset epilepsy

Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a complex, rare, and severe childhood-onset epilepsy syndrome. It is characterized by multiple and concurrent seizure types including tonic seizure, cognitive dysfunction, and slow spike waves on electroencephalogram (EEG), which are very abnormal. Typically, it presents in children aged 3–5 years and most of the time persists into adulthood with slight changes in the electroclinical phenotype. It has been associated with perinatal injuries, congenital infections, brain malformations, brain tumors, genetic disorders such as tuberous sclerosis and numerous gene mutations. Sometimes LGS is observed after infantile epileptic spasm syndrome. The prognosis for LGS is marked by a 5% mortality in childhood and persistent seizures into adulthood.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), also referred to as pseudoseizures, non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD), functional seizures, or dissociative seizures, are episodes resembling an epileptic seizure but without the characteristic electrical discharges associated with epilepsy. PNES fall under the category of disorders known as functional neurological disorders (FND) and are typically treated by psychologists or psychiatrists.

Non-epileptic seizures (NES), also known as pseudoseizures, non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD), functional seizures, or dissociative seizures, are paroxysmal events that appear similar to an epileptic seizure, but do not involve abnormal, rhythmic discharges of neurons in the brain. Symptoms may include shaking, loss of consciousness, and loss of bladder control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pallister–Hall syndrome</span> Medical condition

Pallister–Hall syndrome (PHS) is a rare genetic disorder that affects various body systems. The main features are a non-cancerous mass on the hypothalamus and extra digits (polydactylism). The prevalence of Pallister-Hall Syndrome is unknown; about 100 cases have been reported in publication.

In the field of neurology, seizure types are categories of seizures defined by seizure behavior, symptoms, and diagnostic tests. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 2017 classification of seizures is the internationally recognized standard for identifying seizure types. The ILAE 2017 classification of seizures is a revision of the prior ILAE 1981 classification of seizures. Distinguishing between seizure types is important since different types of seizures may have different causes, outcomes, and treatments.

Dravet syndrome (DS), previously known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder which causes a catastrophic form of epilepsy, with prolonged seizures that are often triggered by hot temperatures or fever. It is very difficult to treat with anticonvulsant medications. It often begins before one year of age, with six months being the age that seizures, char­ac­ter­ized by prolonged convulsions and triggered by fever, usually begin.

Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), formerly known as pyknolepsy, is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy which occurs in otherwise normal children. The age of onset is between 4–10 years with peak age between 5–7 years. Children have absence seizures which although brief, they occur frequently, sometimes in the hundreds per day. The absence seizures of CAE involve abrupt and severe impairment of consciousness. Mild automatisms are frequent, but major motor involvement early in the course excludes this diagnosis. The EEG demonstrates characteristic "typical 3Hz spike-wave" discharges. The presence of any other seizure type at time of diagnosis rules out the diagnose of CAE. Prognosis is usually good in well-defined cases of CAE with most patients "growing out" of their epilepsy.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), also known as Janz syndrome or impulsive petit mal, is a form of hereditary, idiopathic generalized epilepsy, representing 5–10% of all epilepsy cases. Typically it first presents between the ages of 12 and 18 with myoclonic seizures. These events typically occur after awakening from sleep, during the evening or when sleep-deprived. JME is also characterized by generalized tonic–clonic seizures, and a minority of patients have absence seizures. It was first described by Théodore Herpin in 1857. Understanding of the genetics of JME has been rapidly evolving since the 1990s, and over 20 chromosomal loci and multiple genes have been identified. Given the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of JME some authors have suggested that it should be thought of as a spectrum disorder.

Epilepsy surgery involves a neurosurgical procedure where an area of the brain involved in seizures is either resected, ablated, disconnected or stimulated. The goal is to eliminate seizures or significantly reduce seizure burden. Approximately 60% of all people with epilepsy have focal epilepsy syndromes. In 15% to 20% of these patients, the condition is not adequately controlled with anticonvulsive drugs. Such patients are potential candidates for surgical epilepsy treatment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolandic epilepsy</span> Most common epilepsy syndrome in childhood, usually subsiding with age

Benign Rolandic epilepsy or self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes is the most common epilepsy syndrome in childhood. Most children will outgrow the syndrome, hence the label benign. The seizures, sometimes referred to as sylvian seizures, start around the central sulcus of the brain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone</span> Chemical compound

Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, also referred to as allotetrahydrocorticosterone, is an endogenous neurosteroid. It is synthesized from the adrenal hormone deoxycorticosterone by the action of two enzymes, 5α-reductase type I and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. THDOC is a potent positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, and has sedative, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects. Changes in the normal levels of this steroid particularly during pregnancy and menstruation may be involved in some types of epilepsy and premenstrual syndrome, as well as stress, anxiety and depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catamenial epilepsy</span> Epilepsy exacerbated during certain phases of the menstrual cycle

Catamenial epilepsy is a form of epilepsy in women where seizures are exacerbated during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. In rare cases, seizures occur only during certain parts of the cycle; in most cases, seizures occur more frequently during certain parts of the cycle. Catamenial epilepsy is underlain by hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle where estrogens promote seizures and progesterone counteracts seizure activity.

Epilepsy-intellectual disability in females also known as PCDH19 gene-related epilepsy or epileptic encephalopathy, early infantile, 9 (EIEE9), is a rare type of epilepsy that affects predominately females and is characterized by clusters of brief seizures, which start in infancy or early childhood, and is occasionally accompanied by varying degrees of cognitive impairment. The striking pattern of onset seizures at a young age, genetic testing and laboratory results, potential developmental delays or developmental regression and associated disorders, eases diagnosis.

Christine Kilpatrick is an Australian neurologist and the chief executive of Royal Melbourne Health. She has held this position since 2017. Previously, she was the chief executive of the Royal Children's Hospital from 2008 to 2017 and the executive director of Medical Services, Melbourne Health and executive director of the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 2004 to 2008. Before she held these positions, she worked as a neurologist at Royal Melbourne Health and engaged in extensive neurological research, especially epilepsy.

Computational models in epilepsy mainly focus on describing an electrophysiological manifestation associated with epilepsy called seizures. For this purpose, computational neurosciences use differential equations to reproduce the temporal evolution of the signals recorded experimentally. A book published in 2008, Computational Neuroscience in Epilepsy. summarizes different works done up to this time. The goals of using its models are diverse, from prediction to comprehension of underlying mechanisms.

References

  1. ↑ "Prof John Terry | Mathematics | University of Birmingham".
  2. ↑ "Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine".
  3. ↑ "£10 million for new maths centres to tackle life-threatening diseases - EPSRC website".
  4. ↑ "Commission on Neurobiology // International League Against Epilepsy".
  5. ↑ "Research strategy - ERUK website". 8 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "Theme Leads - ERI Website". 21 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "John Robert Terry - University of Exeter". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Fellows: Chancellery (Academic & International)". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "University of Exeter".
  10. ↑ "Meet the team- Centre for Biomedical Modelling and Analysis - University of Exeter". Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "Home". neuronostics.com.
  12. ↑ "Neuronostics win Start Up Award at the Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards 2020 — Medilink South West".
  13. ↑ Bender, Eric (24 June 2021). "Accelerating the diagnosis of epilepsy with computer modelling". Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-021-01666-9. PMID   34168360. S2CID   235633519.
  14. ↑ "Neuronostics LTD. | Falling Walls".
  15. ↑ "Tech Spark Winners - TechSpark Website".
  16. ↑ Terry, J. R.; Thornburg Jr, K. S.; DeShazer, D. J.; VanWiggeren, G. D.; Zhu, S.; Ashwin, P.; Roy, R. (1999). "Synchronization of chaos in an array of three lasers" (PDF). Phys. Rev. E. 59 (4): 4036–4043. Bibcode:1999PhRvE..59.4036T. doi:10.1103/physreve.59.4036. hdl: 10036/20792 .
  17. ↑ Terry, J. R.; Benjamin O.; Richardson, M. P. (2012). "Seizure generation: The role of nodes and networks". Epilepsia. 53 (9): e166–e169. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03560.x . PMID   22709380. S2CID   25085531.
  18. ↑ Schmidt, H.; Woldman, W.; Goodfellow, M.; Chowdhury, F. A.; Koutroumanidis, M.; Jewell, S.; Richardson, M. P.; Terry, J. R. (2016). "A computational biomarker of idiopathic generalized epilepsy from resting state EEG". Epilepsia. 57 (10): e200–e204. doi: 10.1111/epi.13481 . PMC   5082517 . PMID   27501083.
  19. ↑ Goodfellow, M.; Rummel, C.; Abela, E.; Richardson, M. P.; Schindler, K.; Terry, J. R. (2016). "Estimation of brain network ictogenicity predicts outcome from epilepsy surgery". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 29215. Bibcode:2016NatSR...629215G. doi: 10.1038/srep29215 . PMC   4935897 . PMID   27384316.
  20. ↑ Walker J. J.; Terry J. R.; Lightman S. L. (2010). "The origin of pulsatility in the HPA-axis". Proc. R. Soc. B. 277 (1688): 1627–1633. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.2148. PMC   2871854 . PMID   20129987.
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