ARISEN Network pilot funding to advance autoimmune encephalitis and NORSE care
Official title: ARISEN (Autoimmunity, Rasmussen’s, Inflammation & Status Epilepticus research Network)
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11417482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $142,902 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD122209-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, or NORSE who may benefit from improved diagnosis, management, or future trial participation.
✕Less likely to help
If your condition is not autoimmune-related or not within the ARISEN focus, direct benefit from this specific grant may be limited.
What this research studies
If you live with autoimmune encephalitis or NORSE, this program helps researchers test new ideas using ARISEN resources like clinical data and biobanked samples. It invites investigators from various institutions to apply for short, feasibility-focused projects that could pave the way for larger studies. The goal is to improve trial readiness and patient care, with patient advocacy groups helping shape which ideas are funded. Projects would leverage ARISEN data and collaborate across centers to grow the network and translate findings into practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potential to accelerate new treatment approaches and better clinical care for autoimmune encephalitis and NORSE.
How similar studies have gone: Past pilot funding programs in similar networks have sparked collaborations and laid the groundwork for larger trials.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gombolay, Grace Yoonheekim — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Gombolay, Grace Yoonheekim
Related research
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Microglia Help Finish Seizures and Heal the Brain
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ARISEN Network: Better Diagnosis and Treatment for Autoimmune Brain Inflammation in Children
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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.