Understanding Brain Inflammation in Prolonged Childhood Seizures
Official title: Targeting Microglia in Febrile Status Epilepticus
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11084538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how brain inflammation contributes to prolonged seizures in children, aiming to find new ways to help those at risk of developing epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $478,736 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS119243-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding prolonged seizures in children, particularly those between 6 and 60 months of age who experience febrile status epilepticus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients experiencing other types of seizures or those without a history of febrile status epilepticus may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Febrile seizures are common in children, and some experience prolonged seizures called febrile status epilepticus (fSE), which can increase their risk of developing epilepsy later in life. While nerve cell problems are known to be involved, recent findings suggest that inflammation in the brain also plays a significant role. This project specifically looks at microglia, which are the brain's immune cells, to understand their exact contribution to this inflammation during fSE. By understanding how these specific cells contribute, we hope to identify new targets for treatments that could prevent long-term complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce brain inflammation during prolonged childhood seizures, potentially preventing the development of epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: While broad anti-inflammatory drugs have shown some promise in reducing seizures, this project takes a novel approach by specifically identifying the roles of particular brain cells in inflammation during prolonged seizures.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eyo, Ukpong Bassey — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Eyo, Ukpong Bassey
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Microglia Help Finish Seizures and Heal the Brain
Scientists are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) help end severe seizures and repair brain damage, with potential new ideas for people who have had status epilepticus.
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ARISEN Network pilot funding to advance autoimmune encephalitis and NORSE care
A pilot grants program within the ARISEN network offers small funding to researchers to speed up clinical trials and improve management and treatment of autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, and NORSE.
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ARISEN Network: Better Diagnosis and Treatment for Autoimmune Brain Inflammation in Children
A large team at Emory is building ways to diagnose autoimmune brain inflammation in kids earlier and tailor treatments to improve outcomes.
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ARISEN Network: Patient-centered outcomes in autoimmune brain inflammation and status epilepticus
A nationwide registry study from Emory will collect patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes to understand how neuroinflammatory brain diseases affect people and what helps them most.
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ARISEN: A regional network to understand autoimmune brain diseases in kids
A national, multi-center effort follows children with autoimmune brain diseases to better understand how their condition progresses and how it affects thinking and everyday life.
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ARISEN: Advancing research on autoimmune brain diseases and neuroinflammation
This grant supports a Career Enhancement Core to train the next generation of clinician-scientists studying autoimmune brain diseases like autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen’s syndrome, and NORSE, with a focus on pediatric cases.
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.