Investigating new treatments for genetic epilepsy using zebrafish models
Official title: Deep Behavioral Phenotyping of Novel Zebrafish Epilepsy Models
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10943858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at genetic forms of epilepsy that cause tough seizures and behavior problems, using zebrafish to help find new treatments that might work better for people who don’t respond to current medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $451,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS138525-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10943858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with genetic forms of epilepsy who have not responded well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-genetic forms of epilepsy or those who have already found effective treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding genetic epilepsies, which cause severe seizures and neurobehavioral issues in patients. By creating zebrafish models that mimic these conditions, researchers aim to explore the underlying mechanisms of epilepsy and identify potential new drug treatments. The study employs advanced imaging techniques and machine learning algorithms to analyze the behavior of these zebrafish mutants, facilitating large-scale drug screening. This innovative approach could lead to breakthroughs in managing epilepsy that is resistant to current medications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and effective treatments for patients with genetic epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using animal models for drug discovery in epilepsy, making this approach both innovative and grounded in prior success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baraban, Scott C — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Baraban, Scott C
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.
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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.