Rapid bedside test for neurocysticercosis in adults with seizures
Official title: Rapid Point-of-Care Assay for Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis in Seizure Patients
Funded at Kephera Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11382998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A quick clinic test to detect brain tapeworm infection (neurocysticercosis) in adults who present with seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kephera Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Framingham, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $123,606 |
| NIH project number | 3R44AI149903-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (age 21 and over) who present with new or unexplained seizures or suspected epilepsy, particularly in areas where neurocysticercosis is common, would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children under 21, people whose seizures are known to be from non-parasitic causes, or patients who require detailed neuroimaging for other diagnoses may not benefit from this specific rapid test.
What this research studies
This project aims to create an easy-to-use, rapid point-of-care assay that can identify neurocysticercosis as the cause of seizures without needing MRI. The test is designed for use in adults and to work in clinics that lack advanced imaging. Developers plan to detect parasite-related antigens or antibodies from patient samples and adapt the test for routine clinical use. If validated, the assay could be deployed in hospitals and community clinics where the condition is common.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable faster, affordable diagnosis and timely anti-parasitic treatment for patients with seizure-causing neurocysticercosis, especially where MRI is unavailable.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and serologic tests for neurocysticercosis exist but have variable sensitivity and specificity, so a reliable rapid point-of-care assay would represent a relatively novel and useful advance.
Where this research is happening
-
Kephera Diagnostics, LLC
Framingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, Andrew E. — Kephera Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Levin, Andrew E.
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.