Understanding brain pathways to control seizures
Dissecting Hypothalamic Pathways for Seizure Control
This study is looking into how temporal lobe epilepsy works in the brain, especially focusing on certain pathways that might help us understand and control seizures better, with the hope of finding new treatments for people living with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11045774 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying mechanisms of temporal lobe epilepsy, which affects many adults and is often resistant to standard treatments. By exploring specific brain pathways, particularly those involving the medial mammillary body, the study aims to uncover how seizure activity spreads and how it might be controlled. The approach includes using advanced techniques in transgenic mouse models to identify the roles of different cell types in seizure propagation. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients with epilepsy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults with temporal lobe epilepsy who have not achieved seizure control with conventional therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with epilepsy types other than temporal lobe epilepsy or those who have already found effective treatments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for patients with epilepsy, particularly those who do not respond well to existing medications.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding brain networks related to epilepsy, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farrell, Jordan Stewart — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Farrell, Jordan Stewart
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.