NeuroVu — a tiny remote microscope to watch how seizures affect brain tumors
NeuroVu: A Novel Cloud-based Microscope for Remote Neurosurveillance of the Seizure-Brain Tumor Nexus
This project builds a small cloud-connected microscope to monitor how seizures and brain tumors interact, with the goal of helping people who have tumor-related epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181552 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that researchers are creating NeuroVu, a miniaturized, cloud-controlled microscope that can image blood flow, oxygen levels, and neuron activity near tumors during natural seizures. The device uses advanced optics (including two-photon imaging) and 3D-printed parts to capture long recording sessions without the need for prolonged anesthesia, and streams data to remote servers for analysis. Researchers will refine and test prototypes in laboratory models and animals first to prove the imaging approach and remote control. If the technology works, it could be adapted for future studies involving patients at clinical centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The people most relevant are patients with brain tumors who also experience seizures, especially those whose seizures are frequent or hard to control.
Not a fit: People without brain tumors or whose seizures are unrelated to tumor biology would not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal how seizures make tumors grow or resist treatment and help guide timing or choice of therapies for patients with brain tumors and seizures.
How similar studies have performed: Small, head-mounted and two-photon microscopes have been used successfully in animal neuroscience, but combining cloud-controlled miniaturized imaging specifically to study the seizure–tumor interaction is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Senarathna, Danapala M. M. Janaka — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Senarathna, Danapala M. M. Janaka
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 below.