Restoring normal brain activity after nerve agent–induced seizures
Project 3: Normalization of Neuronal Excitability
This project aims to stop long-term brain damage and recurring seizures that can follow organophosphate nerve-agent or pesticide exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174370 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, researchers are studying how nerve agents cause prolonged seizures and lasting changes in the brain that lead to recurring seizures and memory problems. They use laboratory models alongside clinical and preclinical data to test drugs, timing of treatments, and strategies to bring neuronal activity back to normal. The team is also looking for biological markers that predict who is most likely to develop chronic seizures or cognitive decline. Promising lab findings will be pushed toward therapies that could be used after mass exposures or delayed treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people who survived organophosphate (nerve-agent or certain pesticide) exposure and experienced prolonged seizures or status epilepticus.
Not a fit: People whose seizures or cognitive problems stem from unrelated causes (for example genetic epilepsy or traumatic brain injury) or who were never exposed to organophosphates are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce the chance of survivors developing chronic seizures and cognitive problems after organophosphate poisoning.
How similar studies have performed: Current emergency treatments improve survival but do not prevent long-term seizures, and while preclinical studies show some promise for new approaches, there is limited proven success in humans so far.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gurkoff, Gene Gabriel — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Gurkoff, Gene Gabriel
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 below.