Investigating how chronic epilepsy affects brain aging
Official title: PET/MR Correlates of Accelerated Aging in Chronic Epilepsy
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10817791 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chronic epilepsy might speed up brain aging and is for people with epilepsy who want to understand how their condition could affect their brain health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $533,172 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117568-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10817791 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with chronic focal epilepsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of epilepsy or those with acute, non-chronic forms of epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the relationship between chronic epilepsy and accelerated brain aging using advanced imaging techniques like PET and MRI. It aims to identify specific biomarkers that indicate accelerated cognitive and brain aging in patients with chronic epilepsy compared to healthy individuals. By analyzing factors such as beta amyloid deposition and changes in brain structure and function, the study seeks to understand the impact of epilepsy on long-term brain health. Patients with chronic epilepsy may undergo neuroimaging assessments to help characterize these aging processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of cognitive decline in patients with chronic epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain aging in other neurological conditions, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcmillan, Alan Blair — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Mcmillan, Alan Blair
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Brain aging and thinking in older adults with epilepsy
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Whether long-term epilepsy speeds up brain aging, seen with PET and MRI scans
Researchers are using PET and MRI brain scans to look at whether adults with long-term focal epilepsy show signs of faster brain and memory aging than people their age.
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Investigating brain aging and cognition in older adults with epilepsy
This study is looking at how epilepsy impacts thinking and brain health in older adults aged 55 to 90, and it aims to find out what factors might speed up aging in the brain, so we can help prevent or slow down memory problems like dementia.
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Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
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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.