Brain circuits that help stop absence seizures
Official title: Basal Ganglia - Brainstem Networks in the Control of Seizures
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-11327286 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | July 15, 2016 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $501,529 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS097762-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327286 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forcelli, Patrick Alexander — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Forcelli, Patrick Alexander
Related research
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Using the brain’s natural connector to detect and prevent seizures
A study at Case Western Reserve University is exploring whether gently stimulating a natural brain pathway called the corpus callosum can help identify where seizures start and stop them from spreading in people with hard-to-control epilepsy.
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Disentangling How Inhibitory Brain Cells Shape Seizures in People
This NIH grant tests how specific brain cells that normally calm the brain influence seizures in adults, using advanced optical methods in living subjects.
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.