ARISEN Network: Better Diagnosis and Treatment for Autoimmune Brain Inflammation in Children
Official title: ARISEN (Autoimmunity, Rasmussen’s, Inflammation & Status Epilepticus research Network)
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11417476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large team at Emory is building ways to diagnose autoimmune brain inflammation in kids earlier and tailor treatments to improve outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $277,840 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD122209-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pediatric patients (0-11 years old) presenting with autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, or NORSE and who can contribute clinical samples and data.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients with different neurological conditions or without autoimmune involvement may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project seeks to uncover biomarkers and immune pathways that distinguish autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, and NORSE in children. By studying immune responses and disease mechanisms, the team aims to enable earlier, more accurate diagnoses and more effective, targeted therapies. The work involves analyses of patient samples and clinical data across multiple centers to identify diagnostic signals that differentiate these conditions. The ultimate goal is to shorten the time to correct treatment and reduce long-term neurological disability in affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children with these conditions could receive faster, more precise diagnoses and more effective treatments, potentially reducing complications and long-term disability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has identified immune pathways in autoimmune brain diseases, but this project aims to define distinguishing markers across multiple pediatric conditions in a cohesive network.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gillespie, Scott — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Gillespie, Scott
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Microglia Help Finish Seizures and Heal the Brain
Scientists are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) help end severe seizures and repair brain damage, with potential new ideas for people who have had status epilepticus.
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ARISEN Network pilot funding to advance autoimmune encephalitis and NORSE care
A pilot grants program within the ARISEN network offers small funding to researchers to speed up clinical trials and improve management and treatment of autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, and NORSE.
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ARISEN Network: Patient-centered outcomes in autoimmune brain inflammation and status epilepticus
A nationwide registry study from Emory will collect patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes to understand how neuroinflammatory brain diseases affect people and what helps them most.
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ARISEN: A regional network to understand autoimmune brain diseases in kids
A national, multi-center effort follows children with autoimmune brain diseases to better understand how their condition progresses and how it affects thinking and everyday life.
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ARISEN: Advancing research on autoimmune brain diseases and neuroinflammation
This grant supports a Career Enhancement Core to train the next generation of clinician-scientists studying autoimmune brain diseases like autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen’s syndrome, and NORSE, with a focus on pediatric cases.
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ARISEN aims to improve outcomes for autoimmune brain diseases in children and adults
A network-led effort to better understand and treat autoimmune brain conditions like autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, and NORSE through a multi-center registry and coordinated care approaches.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.