Identifying brain circuits involved in epilepsy using brain lesions and stimulation techniques
Using Brain Lesions and Deep Brain Stimulation to Identify an Epilepsy Circuit
This study is looking at how brain injuries from things like strokes can cause focal epilepsy and whether a treatment called deep brain stimulation can help, aiming to understand why it works for some people but not others, so we can find better ways to treat epilepsy in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11056777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how brain lesions from conditions like stroke or trauma can lead to focal epilepsy and explores the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment. By analyzing the connectivity between lesion locations and DBS sites, the study aims to uncover why some patients respond well to DBS while others do not. The researchers utilize advanced techniques to map brain circuits without needing individual patient data, making the approach broadly applicable. This could lead to new therapeutic targets for improving epilepsy treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients with focal epilepsy resulting from brain lesions due to stroke, trauma, or tumors.
Not a fit: Patients with epilepsy not associated with brain lesions or those who do not have access to deep brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the understanding and treatment of epilepsy, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients with focal epilepsy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has successfully mapped brain circuits related to various brain diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for epilepsy as well.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fox, Michael D — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Fox, Michael D
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.