Brain circuits that help stop absence seizures
Basal Ganglia - Brainstem Networks in the Control of Seizures
Researchers are mapping and testing specific brain pathways to discover new ways to stop absence seizures for people whose seizures do not respond to medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327286 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how parts of the brain called the basal ganglia and brainstem work together to suppress absence seizures. Using animal models, the team will trace connections, record activity, and manipulate specific pathways (including basal ganglia direct/indirect routes, superior colliculus, and the pedunculopontine nucleus) to see which circuits can block seizures. The researchers will build a detailed network map of these circuits and test how changing them affects seizure activity. The goal is to identify circuit targets that could be used in future therapies like targeted brain stimulation for people with drug-resistant absence epilepsy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with medically refractory absence epilepsy (those whose absence seizures are not controlled by standard medications) would be the most relevant group for future clinical approaches based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose absence seizures are well controlled with medication or who have other types of epilepsy may not see direct benefit from these circuit-mapping experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for neuromodulation or other therapies that reduce or stop absence seizures in people who do not respond to medicines.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that stimulating or modifying basal ganglia and brainstem circuits can reduce seizures, but translating these findings into effective human treatments for absence epilepsy is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Georgetown University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forcelli, Patrick Alexander — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Forcelli, Patrick Alexander
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 below.