Dr Laura Mantoan Ritter MD MRCP(UK)PhD (CSCN) Diplomate (EEG) FHEA

My group investigates novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools and precision treatments for super-refractory and genetic forms of epilepsy.

My research interest is:

1. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway, which regulates fundamental cellular processes including growth control, autophagy and metabolism. With my co-investigators Prof Joseph Bateman and Prof Deb Pal, I lead an MRC/NIHR-funded National rare disease clinical and research node for mTOR pathway diseases. My group investigates novel somatic mTOR pathway mutations in human epilepsy surgical tissue by next-generation sequencing and develops novel genetic “liquid biopsy” tools.
2. New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE): My group investigates novel diagnostic tools (metagenomic and astrovirus sequencing, cytokine assays, neuropathology) and the effectiveness of vagal nerve stimulation in aborting unremitting status epilepticus, modulate ictogenesis and reduce long-term seizure burden.

Find out more about my research:

• Mantoan group

Key Publications:

• Tangwiriyasakul et al., 2018. Dynamic brain network states in human generalised spike-wave discharges. Brain. #
• Mantoan Ritter et al., 2023. Perspective: Vagal nerve stimulation in the treatment of new-onset refractory status epilepticus. Front. Neurol.
• Walker et al., 2013. Gene therapy in Status epilepticus. Epilepsia.
• Mantoan Ritter et al., 2016. Lentiviral Expression of GAD67 and CCK Promoter-Driven Opsins to Target Interneurons in Vitro and in Vivo. J Gen Med.
• Wykes et al., 2012. Optogenetic and Potassium Channel Gene Therapy in a Rodent Model of Focal Neocortical Epilepsy. Sci Transl Med.
• Akam et al., 2012. Oscillatory dynamics in the hippocampus support dentate gyrus–CA3 coupling. Nat Neurosci.

Key Collaborators:

• Professor Joseph Bateman, King's College London
• Professor Deb Pal, King's College London
• Professor Mathew Walker, University College London
• Dr Claire Troakes, King's College London