Understanding genetic causes of childhood epilepsy
Official title: A multi-omics approach to understanding pediatric epilepsies
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, LLC · NIH-11071728 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the genetic reasons behind serious brain disorders in children that cause seizures and are hard to treat, with the hope of finding better, personalized treatments for those who haven't been diagnosed yet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | December 18, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,474 |
| NIH project number | 1F99HG014072-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071728 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, particularly those with unresolved genetic diagnoses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy that is well understood and has established treatment protocols may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic factors contributing to developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) in children, which are severe neurological disorders often resistant to treatment. By utilizing advanced sequencing technologies and DNA methylation analysis, the study aims to identify genetic causes in patients who currently have unresolved diagnoses. The goal is to develop precision therapies tailored to the specific genetic alterations found in these patients, ultimately improving their treatment outcomes. The research will analyze data from over 500 individuals to uncover potential biomarkers and genetic signatures associated with DEEs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and targeted therapies for children suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using genomic approaches to identify genetic causes of neurological disorders, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, LLC
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laflamme, Christy — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, LLC
- Study coordinator: Laflamme, Christy
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.