Finding the best doses of brain drugs for children
Official title: Optimal Dosing of CNS Drugs for Children
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11087554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $121,770 |
| NIH project number | 5K99HD114846-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11087554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are diagnosed with neurological diseases requiring pharmacotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 0-11 years or those without neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunt, J Porter — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Hunt, J Porter
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.