Investigating brain mechanisms involved in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Official title: The role of brainstem projecting extended amygdala neurons in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10930106 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells might be linked to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) to help find ways to prevent it, especially for people who have uncontrolled seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $491,027 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133169-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930106 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with refractory epilepsy who are at risk for sudden unexpected death.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-controlled epilepsy or those who do not experience seizures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of specific neurons in the brain that may contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), a serious risk for patients with uncontrolled seizures. By studying the connections between the amygdala and brainstem, the researchers aim to uncover how seizure-related respiratory dysfunction can lead to life-threatening conditions like hypoventilation and cardiac issues. The project utilizes advanced techniques in a mouse model to identify the neural circuits involved, which could ultimately help in developing strategies to predict and prevent SUDEP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new methods for predicting and preventing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, significantly improving patient safety.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have indicated that understanding brain mechanisms related to seizures can lead to significant advancements in epilepsy treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nobis, William Paul — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nobis, William Paul
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.