MSc (Res) Opportunity – Use of Anti-Seizure Medication During Pregnancy and its Association with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Project Title:
Use of Anti-Seizure Medication During Pregnancy and its Association with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Supervisor(s):
Primary Supervisor: Dr Cicely Macnamara (University of St Andrews, School of Medicine)
Secondary Supervisors: Dr Desy Nuryunarsih (University of St Andrews, School of Medicine) and Dr Craig Heath (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde)
Deadline:
Tuesday 19 May 2026
Project Description:
Every year, thousands of women with epilepsy face one of the most difficult decisions in pregnancy — continue their anti-seizure medication (ASM) and risk potential harm to their baby or stop and risk dangerous seizures. After more than 50 years of research, we know that not all ASMs carry the same risk. Valproate, once a mainstay of epilepsy treatment, is now known to cause birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders in children exposed in the womb and is no longer recommended for women of childbearing age. Yet for many newer medications, and for women who stop treatment at different stages of pregnancy, the evidence remains incomplete [1].
This project uses linked Scottish health records to examine how women with epilepsy use anti-seizure medication (ASM) in the year before and across each trimester of pregnancy, and what this means for their children. By comparing five groups — women who never used ASM, those who used ASM before pregnancy only, and those who continued to use ASM into the first, second, or third trimesters — this study will generate new evidence on whether the timing of medication use or discontinuation affects the risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD.
This is a rare opportunity to contribute to research that could directly improve clinical guidance for one of the most vulnerable groups in epilepsy care.
School of Medicine Research Division:
Population and Behavioural Science
References:
- Tomson, T., L. Sha, and L. Chen, Management of epilepsy in pregnancy: What we still need to learn. Epilepsy & Behavior Reports, 2023. 24: p. 100624.
Funding Details:
The home fee for this opportunity is funded. Please see the university website for fee information.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please submit your application via the University’s online portal.
Please make sure your application is complete by Tuesday 19 May 2026.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should normally hold, or expect to obtain, a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
- Part time study for this project would be considered.
Contact:
Enquiries about the application process can be directed to Sandra Fleming at [email protected].