Exploring the roles of sodium channels in epilepsy and brain development
Official title: Interrogation of non-canonical roles of VGSCs in neurodevelopmental epilepsy
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10902910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain channels in the brain, called voltage-gated sodium channels, might play a role in causing epilepsy in children, especially when there are changes in a specific gene, and it hopes to find new ways to help kids who aren't getting better with current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS137770-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children with severe epilepsy linked to mutations in the SCN3A gene.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy not associated with VGSC mutations or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) contribute to the development of epilepsy, particularly in children. It focuses on understanding both the traditional roles of these channels in nerve signaling and their lesser-known functions in brain development and cellular processes. By using advanced brain organoids derived from human stem cells, the study aims to uncover how mutations in the SCN3A gene affect brain development and lead to severe epilepsy. This could provide insights into new treatment strategies for patients who currently do not respond well to existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for pediatric epilepsy and associated cognitive and behavioral issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the roles of VGSCs in epilepsy, but this approach using human brain organoids is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Helms, Kyle — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Helms, Kyle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
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-
Epilepsy Data Ecosystem: A Big-Data Sharing Platform for Better Care
A national effort to collect and share large, multi‑modal brain data from people with medication‑resistant epilepsy to speed discoveries and improve treatment options.
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Exploring epilepsy genes in zebrafish to understand human brain seizures
A study in zebrafish will model human epilepsy genes to help explain how certain brain mutations contribute to seizures.
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New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
Sahel Epilepsy Study: finding patterns in epilepsy in rural Africa and its links to genes
A plan to study epilepsy in rural Nigeria to discover how common it is, what factors affect risk, and how genetics may influence it, with results that could improve care for people with epilepsy.
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.