Breathing and blood CO2 in absence seizures
Respiration and Generalized Epilepsies
Researchers are looking at whether changes in breathing and blood carbon dioxide cause absence seizures in people with absence epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258001 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have absence epilepsy, this project connects what we know about hyperventilation-triggered seizures to lab work that digs into why that happens. The team uses a new rodent model that reliably produces spike-wave seizures when breathing changes, while recording brain activity and measuring blood CO2 and pH. They also use brain slice recordings and calcium imaging to trace which brain circuits respond to blood alkalosis. The goal is to link changes in breathing and blood chemistry to the specific brain mechanisms that start absence seizures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people, especially children, with a diagnosis of absence epilepsy whose seizures are known to be triggered by hyperventilation.
Not a fit: People with other types of epilepsy or whose seizures are not linked to breathing changes are unlikely to benefit directly, and this is primarily preclinical research so it may not offer immediate treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to simple breathing- or CO2-based ways to predict, prevent, or treat absence seizures.
How similar studies have performed: Clinically, hyperventilation is a well-known trigger for absence seizures, but using a rodent model combined with simultaneous breathing, EEG, and blood measurements is a newer, more detailed approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beenhakker, Mark — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Beenhakker, Mark
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.