Improving electrical stimulation treatments for epilepsy
Official title: Optimization and mechanisms of electrical neurostimulation in mouse models of epilepsy
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10992162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make electrical treatments for epilepsy work better for people whose seizures don't respond to medication, using mice to find the best ways to stimulate the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $232,981 |
| NIH project number | 5K08NS126730-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy who have not found relief from standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-controlled epilepsy or those who do not have epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of electrical neurostimulation therapies for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. By studying mouse models, the project aims to understand how different stimulation parameters and electrode placements can optimize treatment outcomes. The research will explore the underlying mechanisms of neurostimulation to identify novel therapeutic effects that may alter the course of epilepsy. The principal investigator, Dr. Thomas Foutz, will work under the guidance of experienced mentors to develop skills in this innovative treatment approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with epilepsy who do not respond to traditional medications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neurostimulation for epilepsy, indicating that this approach has potential for significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foutz, Thomas — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Foutz, Thomas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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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.