How glucocorticoid receptors affect drug delivery in epilepsy
Official title: Molecular Mechanism of Glucocorticoid Receptor, Cytochrome P450, and P-Glycoprotein Axis on Drug Regulation at the Blood-Brain Barrier in Epilepsy with Focal Cortical Dysplasia
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11040097 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain receptors in the brain affect how well seizure medications work for people with epilepsy, especially those with a specific brain condition, and aims to find better ways to help these medications reach the brain more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | December 6, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $431,676 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS137230-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040097 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with epilepsy, particularly those experiencing focal cortical dysplasia and who have not responded well to standard antiseizure medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy who are well-controlled on their current medications or those with other types of epilepsy not related to focal cortical dysplasia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how glucocorticoid receptors influence the effectiveness of antiseizure medications by regulating the blood-brain barrier in patients with epilepsy, particularly those with focal cortical dysplasia. The study focuses on the cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein pathways, which are crucial for drug metabolism and transport. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets that could enhance drug delivery to the brain, potentially improving seizure management for patients. The approach includes both laboratory studies and animal models to explore the interactions between these biological systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for epilepsy patients who currently struggle with medication resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar mechanisms to enhance drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghosh, Chaitali — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Ghosh, Chaitali
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Epilepsy Data Ecosystem: A Big-Data Sharing Platform for Better Care
A national effort to collect and share large, multi‑modal brain data from people with medication‑resistant epilepsy to speed discoveries and improve treatment options.
-
Exploring epilepsy genes in zebrafish to understand human brain seizures
A study in zebrafish will model human epilepsy genes to help explain how certain brain mutations contribute to seizures.
-
New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
Sahel Epilepsy Study: finding patterns in epilepsy in rural Africa and its links to genes
A plan to study epilepsy in rural Nigeria to discover how common it is, what factors affect risk, and how genetics may influence it, with results that could improve care for people with epilepsy.
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.