Preventing epilepsy after a severe prolonged seizure by calming brain inflammation
Official title: Inflammatory regulation of epileptogenesis after status epilepticus
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11237179 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Seeing whether calming inflammation right after a severe prolonged seizure can lower the chance of developing long-term epilepsy in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2018 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS100947-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237179 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have recently survived status epilepticus or a prolonged convulsive seizure would be the most likely candidates for related participation or future therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People with long-standing, well-established epilepsy or seizures not linked to a recent status epilepticus episode are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the inflammation that follows status epilepticus (a prolonged, dangerous seizure) can cause lasting changes that lead to epilepsy. Researchers will examine inflammatory signals in blood and brain tissue and use laboratory models to trace which molecules (for example, TNF-α and related pathways) drive the development of seizures over time. The team aims to identify measurable markers and targets that could be treated shortly after a severe seizure to block epilepsy-causing processes. Results are intended to guide future trials of anti-inflammatory treatments to prevent epilepsy after status epilepticus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments given after a severe seizure that reduce the chance of developing chronic epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies and some early human research link post-seizure inflammation to later epilepsy and show promise for anti-inflammatory approaches, but proven prevention in people remains limited.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Jianxiong — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Jianxiong
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ARISEN: Advancing research on autoimmune brain diseases and neuroinflammation
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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.