Defining the brain regions that trigger seizures in epilepsy
Official title: Defining the Epileptogenic Network and Identifying Which Components Generate Seizures
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11447901 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying which parts of the brain cause seizures in people with epilepsy to guide safer, more effective epilepsy surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,381 |
| NIH project number | 2R01NS106957-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447901 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with epilepsy who have seizures despite optimal medical therapy and are being evaluated for epilepsy surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not considering or eligible for surgical treatment may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to pinpoint the epileptogenic network and the components that generate seizures in people with medication-resistant epilepsy. It uses advanced brain imaging and electrophysiological data to better identify the seizure onset zone beyond current methods. The goal is to improve surgical targeting and outcomes for patients who may benefit from epilepsy surgery. The work involves analyzing patients’ brain signals, imaging, and clinical data to map the circuits involved in seizure generation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more precise surgery and higher chances of seizure freedom for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work linking interictal discharges and high-frequency oscillations to epileptogenic tissue has shown promise in guiding surgical planning.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Staba, Richard — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Staba, Richard
Related research
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Seizures and long-term outcomes after childhood stroke
This project looks at whether early seizures and inflammation after a childhood stroke are linked to later epilepsy and recovery in kids up to 19 years old.
-
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.
-
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.