Improving breathing to prevent sudden death in epilepsy

Breathing Rescue for SUDEP Prevention (BreatheS)

NIH-funded research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10889976

This study is looking at how to help people with severe epilepsy breathe better after a seizure to prevent sudden unexpected death, and it’s for patients who are considering surgery for their epilepsy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10889976 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on preventing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), a serious risk for individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy. It aims to understand how the brain controls breathing during critical moments after a seizure, particularly when patients are at risk of respiratory failure. By using advanced brain monitoring techniques, the study will explore ways to enhance breathing and prevent life-threatening complications. Patients with severe epilepsy who are undergoing evaluation for surgery will be monitored to gather important data.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with medically refractory epilepsy who are undergoing intracranial monitoring for epilepsy surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with well-controlled epilepsy or those not undergoing surgical evaluation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of SUDEP and improve the safety and quality of life for individuals with epilepsy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that understanding brain mechanisms related to breathing can lead to effective interventions, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.