How a mitochondrial calcium channel affects brain activity and seizures
Official title: The mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter in the regulation of neural activity and susceptibility to seizures
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11231708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether blocking a tiny mitochondrial calcium channel can lower seizures for people with epilepsy who don't respond to current medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $449,156 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS125884-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with epilepsy whose seizures are frequent or not controlled by existing medications would be the most relevant group for future trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose seizures are well controlled with current therapies are unlikely to see immediate benefit from this preclinical research.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is using lab models to remove or block the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) to see how that changes communication between brain cells, energy use in neurons, and seizure likelihood. They focus on inhibitory GABAergic neurons because early results showed MCU removal in those cells reduced seizures. Experiments combine genetic deletion, cellular and network recordings, and measures of bioenergetics and cell health to map how MCU controls brain activity. The goal is to determine whether MCU could be a new target for treatments to reduce seizures and related harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce seizures and lower the risk of sudden unexpected death in people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: The investigators' pilot animal studies showed promising anticonvulsant effects when MCU was removed, but translating this approach to people has not yet been tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Usachev, Yuriy M — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Usachev, Yuriy M
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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.