Finding the best doses of brain drugs for children

Optimal Dosing of CNS Drugs for Children

NIH-funded research University of Utah · NIH-11087554

This study is looking at the best way to give medications for neurological conditions like epilepsy and depression in kids, using new techniques to safely measure how much medicine gets to their brains, so we can make treatments safer and more effective for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11087554 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on determining the optimal dosing of medications used to treat neurological diseases in children, such as epilepsy and depression. It utilizes advanced pharmacokinetic modeling and non-invasive methods to measure drug concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with external ventricular drains. By understanding how age and disease affect drug absorption through the blood-brain barrier, the study aims to provide safer and more effective treatment options for young patients. This innovative approach seeks to overcome the challenges of traditional methods that often involve invasive procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are diagnosed with neurological diseases requiring pharmacotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 0-11 years or those without neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective medication dosing for children with neurological conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using pharmacokinetic modeling and non-invasive sampling techniques, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.