Novel hydrophilic neurosteroids to stop benzodiazepine-resistant seizures after nerve agent exposure
Official title: Novel Anticonvulsants for Nerve Agents and Refractory Status Epilepticus
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11391364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to develop water-friendly neurosteroids that could prevent ongoing seizures and brain damage after nerve agent exposure, helping people who suffer organophosphate poisoning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $532,121 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3NS138911-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of or suffering from nerve agent or organophosphate exposure leading to refractory seizures and brain injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without exposure to nerve agents or without benzodiazepine-resistant seizures may not benefit from this specific anticonvulsant development.
What this research studies
If someone is exposed to a nerve agent, current benzodiazepines often fail to stop the resulting seizures and brain injury. This project focuses on creating new hydrophilic neurosteroids, called super-ganaxolones, that can be given more easily and may work better than existing drugs to control seizures and protect the brain. The work involves optimizing these compounds to improve solubility, absorption, and dosing, and testing their ability to enhance brain inhibition to halt stubborn seizures. The goal is to provide a more effective treatment option for nerve agent-induced status epilepticus and its long-term consequences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a more effective emergency treatment to stop nerve agent–related seizures and reduce brain damage.
How similar studies have gone: Prior neurosteroids like ganaxolone have shown anticonvulsant effects, and new hydrophilic analogs are being explored to overcome current limitations.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reddy, Doodipala Samba — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Reddy, Doodipala Samba
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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.