Bionomics Limited has announced the publication of its international clinical study involving patients with a form of epilepsy confined to early childhood in the scientific journal, Annals of Neurology.

The publication details genes associated with a condition known as Benign Familial Neonatal Infantile Spasms (BFNIS), a condition in which infants experience seizures in the first few months of their life. This publication follows on from Bionomics' patent filing announced in October 2003 which covered the diagnostic test for this form of epilepsy and represents external validation of Bionomics' research.

Bionomics is incorporating its gene discoveries in its pipeline of new molecular diagnostic tests for epilepsy. Dr Steven Petrou, vice president of CNS Research at Bionomics, said, "There are currently no other gene-based tests for major forms of epilepsy. Bionomics' gene-based tests are designed to assist neurologists in more accurately and rapidly diagnosing epilepsy syndromes and selecting appropriate treatment strategies based on that diagnosis. The publication of this clinical study confirms the value of Bionomics' gene discoveries in aiding diagnosis and will support the ongoing development and marketing of Bionomics' gene-based tests for epilepsy."

Bionomics' first gene-based tests for epilepsy are focused on forms of epilepsy in infants. Up to 3 per cent of all children under 6 years of age suffer from seizures associated with fever, and around one third of these children will suffer prolonged or repeated seizures, making them subject for referral to specialist neurologists for assessment. Bionomics' gene-based tests for epilepsy are targeted to this market, which in the US has been estimated at up to 240,000 patients.