Protecting Brain Cells that Control Consciousness After Cardiac Arrest
Official title: Protection of Thalamic Neurons Which Regulate Consciousness by Ethosuximide After Cardiac Arrest - A Randomized Pre-Clinical Trial
Funded at Children's Research Institute · NIH-11233755 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores if a medication called ethosuximide can protect important brain cells and improve consciousness for people after cardiac arrest.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $227,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS139251-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11233755 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This preclinical work is foundational for future treatments for patients who experience disorders of consciousness, such as coma, after cardiac arrest.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced cardiac arrest or related brain injury would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
After cardiac arrest, many people experience disorders of consciousness like coma, which currently have no specific treatment. This work focuses on a specific area of the brain, the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), which is crucial for consciousness and often damaged after cardiac arrest. We are looking at how certain brain cell activity, called 'bursts,' might contribute to this damage. By using ethosuximide, an existing medication, we hope to prevent these harmful bursts and protect TRN brain cells, ultimately aiming to improve recovery and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new treatment to prevent brain damage and improve recovery of consciousness for cardiac arrest survivors.
How similar studies have gone: This approach is novel in targeting Cav3.3-dependent bursts in TRN neurons after cardiac arrest, though ethosuximide is an FDA-approved drug for absence seizures.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Research Institute
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ton, Hoai — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ton, Hoai
Related research
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Fairer brain recovery predictions after cardiac arrest through U.S.–Brazil collaboration
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Improving predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project compares outcomes after cardiac arrest in the U.S. and Brazil to learn which tests best predict who will regain brain function for people who survive cardiac arrest.
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Reducing biased predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project looks at cardiac arrest survivors in the US and Brazil to find more accurate ways to predict brain recovery and avoid premature stopping of life support.
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.