New treatments for drug-resistant seizures using WNT-pathway modulators
Official title: Investigational WNT-pathway modulators for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant seizures
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10911356 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to help people with epilepsy who have seizures that don't respond to regular medications, by testing existing drugs that might improve seizure control and prevent epilepsy from getting worse.
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 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $168,982 |
| NIH project number | 5R61NS126626-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911356 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who experience drug-resistant epilepsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have well-controlled seizures with existing medications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates innovative therapies targeting the WNT signaling pathway to treat and prevent drug-resistant seizures in patients with epilepsy. By utilizing established animal models, the study aims to identify effective agents that can improve seizure control and potentially prevent the onset of epilepsy. The approach focuses on repurposing existing medications that interact with molecular targets crucial for nervous system health. If successful, this research could lead to better treatment options for individuals who do not respond to current epilepsy medications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new, effective treatment options for patients suffering from drug-resistant seizures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified effective treatments for epilepsy using similar animal model approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barker-Haliski, Melissa Leigh — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Barker-Haliski, Melissa Leigh
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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.