Investigating how dimethyl fumarate may help treat difficult-to-control epilepsy
Official title: Evaluating the disease modifying properties of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) for the prevention and treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10785216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a medication called dimethyl fumarate (DMF) might help people with hard-to-treat epilepsy by boosting brain health and possibly improving seizure control and thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $285,181 |
| NIH project number | 1R61NS130134-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from pharmacoresistant epilepsy who have not responded to standard antiseizure medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy that is well-controlled by existing medications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the potential of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) to modify the course of pharmacoresistant epilepsy, a condition where standard medications fail to control seizures. The study will assess how DMF can enhance the brain's antioxidant defenses and potentially improve seizure control and cognitive function. By administering DMF at different stages of epilepsy, researchers aim to determine its effectiveness in preventing or reversing the disease's progression. The approach includes testing various doses in animal models to establish optimal treatment protocols.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that improve seizure control and quality of life for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar antioxidant approaches in animal models, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, H Steve — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: White, H Steve
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
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-
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.