How altered brain metabolism protects against seizures
Mechanisms of Seizure Resistance in a Mouse Genetic Model with Altered Metabolism
Researchers are using a genetic mouse model to learn how shifting brain fuel use, like the ketogenic diet, could help people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137083 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mice with a single-gene change (Bad) that makes brain cells use less glucose and more alternative fuels such as ketone bodies, mimicking the ketogenic diet. Scientists are tracing how that metabolic switch increases activity of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in brain cells and how that change prevents seizures. By mapping this pathway, they hope to identify drug targets that reproduce the diet's protective effect without requiring the strict diet. The work is laboratory-based and uses mouse models, molecular assays, and brain tissue studies rather than testing therapies in people right now.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with drug-resistant epilepsy who do not get adequate seizure control from current medications would be the likely eventual candidates for any treatments developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose seizures are already well controlled or whose seizure causes are unrelated to metabolic pathways may not benefit from these metabolic-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to drugs that provide the seizure-protecting benefits of the ketogenic diet without the need for a strict dietary regimen.
How similar studies have performed: The ketogenic diet is an established effective therapy for some people with drug-resistant epilepsy and animal studies have linked KATP channels to seizure protection, but turning these findings into safe, effective drugs is still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yellen, Gary I — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Yellen, Gary I
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.