Behavior-based signs to predict seizures and death risk in epilepsy

Behavioral biomarkers for prediction of mortality and seizures in epilepsy

['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11235874

Researchers are using AI-driven 3D video analysis of mouse behaviors to find subtle behavior patterns that might signal seizure risk and higher mortality for people with epilepsy.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11235874 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project uses mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy and Dravet syndrome and records their 3D movements with high-speed cameras. An AI method called Motion Sequencing (MoSeq) will break behavior into short, repeating modules and look for patterns that predict which animals later develop seizures or die after brain injury. The team will test whether these behavioral signatures track disease stages and responses to treatments. If the signals are reliable, they could inform development of non-invasive monitoring tools for people with epilepsy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with temporal lobe epilepsy or genetic epilepsies such as Dravet syndrome, particularly those with treatment-resistant seizures, would be the most relevant groups for eventual clinical application.

Not a fit: People without epilepsy or those whose seizure types are not represented by the mouse models used here may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new non-invasive ways to detect early seizure risk and guide treatments to prevent seizures and reduce mortality.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work from the Soltesz and Datta labs has already used MoSeq to distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic mice and reveal behavioral signatures, but applying these biomarkers to human patients is still novel.

Where this research is happening

STANFORD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired brain injury

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.