Serotonin pathways and how they help recovery after seizures
Official title: Serotonergic circuit mechanisms in postictal recovery and arousal
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11617761 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying how serotonin-related brain circuits influence waking up after seizures, using mouse models to understand why some people with epilepsy have dangerous breathing pauses after seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $70,638 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS129722-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617761 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with refractory epilepsy in future translational work or patients who could participate in related human studies; however, this grant itself uses animal models to understand mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
People without epilepsy or without SUDEP risk factors are unlikely to directly benefit from this animal-based research.
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models of epilepsy to explore how carbon dioxide and arousal signals interact with brain serotonin systems after seizures. The goal is to map which serotonin pathways affect recovery from seizures and the breathing drive when CO2 levels rise. By testing different sleep states and epilepsy models, researchers aim to identify mechanisms that could prevent sudden death in epilepsy. The work could point to targets for therapies that support safer arousal and breathing after seizures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to prevent SUDEP by keeping patients awake and breathing properly after seizures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that arousal and CO2 responses are linked to seizure outcomes, but translating this to SUDEP risk has been challenging and is being actively explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buchanan, Gordon F — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Buchanan, Gordon F
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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.