Cerebellum stimulation to stop temporal lobe seizures
Hippobellum: Cerebellar influence on the hippocampus and temporal lobe seizures
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11335713
Using targeted stimulation of the cerebellum to try to stop temporal lobe seizures in adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11335713 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project explores how stimulating parts of the cerebellum changes activity in the hippocampus and affects temporal lobe seizures. The team showed in mice that specific electrical stimulation of the cerebellar cortex can strongly reduce seizures and that activating fastigial nucleus projections to the central lateral thalamus can inhibit hippocampal seizures. They will test on-demand electrical stimulation of the cerebellar nuclei (including the fastigial nucleus) and measure how this changes excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. The work is being done at the University of Minnesota using animal models with the goal of guiding deep brain stimulation approaches for adults with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy who are potential candidates for invasive neuromodulation are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People whose seizures do not arise from the temporal lobe, children, or those who cannot undergo neurosurgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: May lead to new deep brain stimulation treatments that reduce or stop seizures for people with temporal lobe epilepsy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies by this group showed robust seizure suppression with cerebellar stimulation, while older human trials of cerebellar stimulation produced mixed results.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KROOK-MAGNUSON, ESTHER — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: KROOK-MAGNUSON, ESTHER
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.