Protecting thalamic neurons after cardiac arrest with ethosuximide
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-11378795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, patient-friendly approach looks at giving ethosuximide after cardiac arrest to protect brain cells that help consciousness, aiming to improve recovery for survivors.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $273,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS139251-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have survived cardiac arrest and are experiencing disorders of consciousness might meaningfully benefit from this line of research in the future.
✕Less likely to help
This early pre-clinical study does not involve patients today and may not translate to immediate patient benefit.
What this research studies
After cardiac arrest, many patients wake with impaired consciousness and no proven treatments exist. This project tests whether the FDA-approved drug ethosuximide can prevent harmful neuron bursts in the thalamic reticular nucleus, which is important for consciousness. Using a clinically realistic rodent model, researchers will record brain activity and neuron health to see if ethosuximide reduces abnormal bursting and protects neurons after injury. If successful, this work could point toward a new therapy to improve recovery and quality of life for CA survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, ethosuximide could become a treatment to aid recovery of consciousness after cardiac arrest and improve outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in related models suggests that modulating thalamic activity can influence recovery after brain injury, but this specific approach in post-arrest coma is novel.
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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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.