Controlling seizures in Dravet syndrome by targeting GIRK potassium channels
Dravet Syndrome Anti-Epileptic Control by Targeting GIRK Channels
This project will try medicines that act on GIRK potassium channels to reduce seizures in children with Dravet syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261627 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Northeastern will explore how loss of the NaV1.1 channel causes overactive brain circuits in Dravet syndrome and whether GIRK potassium channels can help restore normal activity. They will use laboratory and cellular models to study how GIRK channels behave when NaV1.1 is missing and to test small molecules that modify GIRK activity. The team aims to identify compounds that reduce seizure-like activity with fewer side effects than some current drugs. Successful findings would guide future clinical testing in children with Dravet syndrome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children diagnosed with Dravet syndrome (often due to SCN1A/NaV1.1 loss-of-function), including infants and toddlers who have frequent or prolonged seizures, would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: People with other types of epilepsy or seizures caused by different genetic or structural problems are unlikely to benefit from a GIRK-targeted treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer medicines that reduce seizures and improve development and quality of life for children with Dravet syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Although FDA-approved drugs like cannabidiol and fenfluramine can reduce seizures in Dravet syndrome, targeting GIRK channels is a newer approach with promising laboratory evidence but limited clinical testing to date.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Northeastern University — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Logothetis, Diomedes E. — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Logothetis, Diomedes E.
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.