Seizure medicine use in people with dementia living in nursing homes
National study of antiepileptic use among patients with dementia in long-term care
This project looks at how often seizure medicines like valproic acid and gabapentin are given to nursing home residents with dementia and whether that use may harm them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11267215 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will use national nursing home records and prescription data to track how often antiepileptic drugs are prescribed to residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and how that has changed over time. The team will identify which drugs (for example, valproic acid and gabapentin) are most commonly used and whether they are being substituted for antipsychotics or opioids. Researchers will link medical records, pharmacy claims, and nursing home assessments to look for patterns and associations with harms such as falls, sedation, or higher mortality. The work aims to find clear opportunities to reduce potentially unsafe prescribing in long-term care settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, especially those currently prescribed or being considered for antiepileptic medicines such as valproic acid or gabapentin.
Not a fit: People without dementia, those living independently in the community, or patients not taking antiepileptic drugs are unlikely to be directly included or to benefit immediately from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce inappropriate antiepileptic prescribing in nursing homes and lower medication-related harms like falls, sedation, and excess deaths among people with dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work has documented rising antiepileptic use and links to harms, but interventions to curb inappropriate prescribing in nursing homes remain limited and need more evidence.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerlach, Lauren Beth — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Gerlach, Lauren Beth
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.