How electrical stimulation affects brain responses to anxiety and epilepsy
Official title: Stimulation-induced modulation of fronto-limbic responses to threat
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10798235 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain stimulation can help people with epilepsy who also struggle with anxiety, by exploring how different parts of the brain work together to manage emotions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $185,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH133055-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10798235 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with treatment-resistant epilepsy who also experience anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without epilepsy or those whose anxiety is not related to neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connections between anxiety and epilepsy by using a technique called stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) to study brain activity in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. By delivering electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain, the researchers aim to understand how these interventions can influence emotional regulation and anxiety symptoms. The study focuses on the fronto-limbic network, which includes the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, to explore how disruptions in this network contribute to anxiety. Patients undergoing evaluation for epilepsy surgery will be monitored to assess the effects of stimulation on their emotional responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for anxiety disorders in patients with epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using electrical stimulation to modulate brain activity in related conditions, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodman, Adam M — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Goodman, Adam 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.