Investigating the role of mossy cells in temporal lobe epilepsy
Official title: Mossy Cells in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Funded at Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res · NIH-11004628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special brain cells called mossy cells to see how they can both cause and help stop seizures in people with temporal lobe epilepsy, with the hope of finding new treatment options for those who don’t respond to current medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orangeburg, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $417,080 |
| NIH project number | 5R37NS126529-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy, especially those experiencing frequent seizures and comorbid conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy types other than temporal lobe epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific cells in the brain, known as mossy cells, function in the context of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The study aims to explore the dual role of these cells during different stages of the condition, particularly how they may contribute to both seizure activity and inhibition of seizures. By examining the excitatory and inhibitory actions of mossy cells on other brain cells, researchers hope to identify new treatment strategies for patients who do not respond well to existing medications. The approach involves detailed cellular analysis and may lead to innovative therapeutic interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options for patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, particularly those who currently have limited responses to medication.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in exploring the roles of different brain cell types in epilepsy, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res
Orangeburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scharfman, Helen E — Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res
- Study coordinator: Scharfman, Helen E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
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.
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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.