Genetics of drug-resistant epilepsy with focal cortical dysplasia
Official title: Clinical genetics of drug-resistant epilepsy with focal cortical dysplasia
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11042860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study the genetic factors behind drug-resistant epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia to uncover what goes wrong in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $748,471 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117544-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children with focal cortical dysplasia-associated epilepsy who have not achieved seizure control with medications and are undergoing clinical evaluation or surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without FCD or those not considering surgery or extensive genetic testing may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why some people with epilepsy do not respond to medications, focusing on a brain malformation called focal cortical dysplasia. It will analyze DNA from affected brain tissue and other samples, compare with controls, and explore copy number changes and RNA patterns. The goal is to identify genetic clues that explain why these seizures occur and to lay groundwork for targeted therapies. The study leverages a large, well-characterized patient group and deep clinical data to reveal somatic genetic alterations tied to FCD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Finding genetic drivers of FCD could lead to better diagnostic tests and pave the way for personalized treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies identified a subset of genetic causes, but most FCD cases lack clear genetic explanations; this project expands to a much larger cohort and deeper analyses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leu, Costin — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Leu, Costin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Single-pulse brain stimulation to improve epilepsy surgery outcomes
A new approach uses single-pulse electrical stimulation to better locate seizure-causing brain regions before epilepsy surgery, with the goal of improving chances of seizure freedom.
-
New MRI markers to find seizure zones in hard-to-treat epilepsy
Aims to use advanced MRI measures of brain stiffness and blood flow to better locate seizure regions in people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
-
Mapping hidden brain cell changes in drug-resistant epilepsy
This project looks for tiny genetic changes in brain cells of children with drug-resistant epilepsy caused by brain malformations to help guide better diagnosis and treatments.
-
Finding seizure-causing brain regions in drug-resistant epilepsy using computer models
This project uses computer models of brain activity to help doctors find the areas that start seizures in people whose epilepsy does not respond to medicines.
-
Noninvasive brain mapping to find seizure networks in children with hard-to-treat epilepsy
This project uses noninvasive brain recordings and connectivity maps to help locate seizure-causing networks in children whose epilepsy does not respond to medication.
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Closed-loop implant to target seizure-related high-frequency brain waves in drug-resistant epilepsy
An implantable device will try to find and interrupt seizure-related high-frequency brain waves in people whose seizures don't respond to medicines.
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.