Finding new drug targets in channels related to infantile epilepsy
Official title: Uncovering Druggable Allosteric Sites in HCN Channels
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11039981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help young children with a serious type of epilepsy caused by changes in certain channels in their brain, by finding specific spots on these channels that new medicines can target to fix the problem.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $373,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS137561-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039981 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-21 who have been diagnosed with infantile epileptic encephalopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with forms of epilepsy unrelated to HCN1 channel mutations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on infantile epileptic encephalopathy (IEE), a severe form of epilepsy in young children caused by mutations in HCN1 channels. The team aims to identify specific allosteric sites on these channels that can be targeted by new medications. By using advanced genomic, functional, and structural techniques, they will explore how these sites interact with both normal and mutated channels. The goal is to develop precise drugs that can effectively treat IEE by correcting the underlying channel dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of targeted therapies that provide more effective treatment options for children with infantile epileptic encephalopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting allosteric sites in ion channels, suggesting that this approach could be effective for developing new treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nimigean, Crina M — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Nimigean, Crina M
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.