How sex hormones and chromosomes affect epilepsy differences
Official title: Contributions of gonadal hormones vs. sex chromosomes in shaping sex differences in epilepsy
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11166936 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sex hormones and chromosomes affect epilepsy, especially why boys and girls might experience seizures differently, using a special mouse model to help us learn more about this for better treatments in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $225,599 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS143269-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166936 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with epilepsy, particularly those who may experience different seizure patterns based on their biological sex.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without epilepsy or those whose seizures are not influenced by biological sex may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of sex hormones and sex chromosomes in epilepsy, focusing on how these factors contribute to differences in seizure activity between males and females. Using a unique mouse model, the study will separate the effects of gonadal hormones from those of sex chromosomes to better understand their individual contributions to seizure susceptibility and brain changes associated with epilepsy. Advanced techniques like video-electroencephalography and RNA sequencing will be employed to gather data on seizures and gene expression. The findings aim to enhance our understanding of epilepsy risk and inform future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for epilepsy that take into account sex differences.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on sex differences in epilepsy, this approach of dissociating gonadal and chromosomal effects is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christian-Hinman, Catherine a — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Christian-Hinman, Catherine a
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.