Medication adherence to epilepsy medicines during pregnancy and related birth outcomes
Official title: Medication Adherence to Antiseizure Medications in Pregnancy and Associated Perinatal Outcomes
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11454846 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how well pregnant people with epilepsy take their anti-seizure medicines and what happens to their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | September 4, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $481,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS147342-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454846 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals with epilepsy or those planning pregnancy who are taking antiseizure medications.
✕Less likely to help
People without epilepsy or not taking antiseizure medications during pregnancy are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
The study will use pharmacy data to map how consistently pregnant people with epilepsy take antiseizure medications. It aims to link adherence patterns with perinatal outcomes and safety concerns during pregnancy. Researchers plan to focus on women, including those in their first trimester, to understand how gaps in taking medicine may affect both mother and baby. The goal is to clarify whether risks come from the disease, the medications, or inconsistent use, to improve guidance for patients and clinicians.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better strategies for maintaining safe medication use during pregnancy and improve birth outcomes for people with epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests adherence patterns influence outcomes, but many studies treat ASM exposure as a yes/no variable rather than continuous adherence.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Osmundson, Sarah Scheiderich — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Osmundson, Sarah Scheiderich
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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.