Gut bacteria chemicals and their influence on epilepsy
Dissecting the role of gut microbial-derived metabolites on epilepsy
This project looks at whether chemicals made by gut bacteria change seizure activity in people with epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145855 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map gut microbes using 16S sequencing and measure microbial metabolites to see which chemicals are linked to seizures. They will use a low-mortality viral mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TMEV) to test how those metabolites affect brain cells and seizure likelihood. The team aims to connect specific gut-derived molecules to seizure development so that changing the microbiome or its chemicals could reduce seizures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with epilepsy—particularly those with drug-resistant seizures or suspected viral-triggered epilepsy—would be the most relevant candidates for related future trials or for donating samples.
Not a fit: People without epilepsy or those whose seizures are clearly due to unrelated causes may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce seizures by changing gut bacteria or their metabolites.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies and the ketogenic diet link the gut microbiome to seizure control, but identifying specific microbial metabolites as causal is still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Susan Latoya — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Susan Latoya
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 below.