Understanding how abnormal brain cells contribute to epilepsy after brain injuries
Official title: Molecular control of aberrant adult-born granule cells in epilepsy
Funded at University of Texas San Antonio · NIH-10877035 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain heals after serious injuries, like a traumatic brain injury or seizures, and how new brain cells that form during recovery can sometimes act strangely and lead to epilepsy, with the goal of finding ways to prevent this from happening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas San Antonio NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $411,796 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS124855-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877035 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have experienced traumatic brain injuries or status epilepticus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy not related to brain injuries or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the changes in brain cell development that occur after severe brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injury or status epilepticus, which may lead to epilepsy. The team will explore how new neurons, formed during this recovery period, can become abnormal and contribute to seizure activity. By studying the genes and signaling pathways involved in this process, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that promote these aberrant cells and their impact on brain circuitry. This work could provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing epilepsy in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent the development of epilepsy in patients who have suffered severe brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the role of neurogenesis in epilepsy can lead to significant advancements in treatment, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas San Antonio
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsieh, Jenny — University of Texas San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Hsieh, Jenny
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Scaling Up Task-Shifted Epilepsy Care for Children in Africa
A study to help children with epilepsy in Africa get diagnosed and receive seizure care through trained community health workers.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Epilepsy Data Ecosystem: A Big-Data Sharing Platform for Better Care
A national effort to collect and share large, multi‑modal brain data from people with medication‑resistant epilepsy to speed discoveries and improve treatment options.
-
Exploring epilepsy genes in zebrafish to understand human brain seizures
A study in zebrafish will model human epilepsy genes to help explain how certain brain mutations contribute to seizures.
-
New MRI tools to better plan pediatric epilepsy surgery
A new MRI-based approach helps doctors decide the best time to surgically remove brain tissue in children with difficult-to-control seizures.
-
Sahel Epilepsy Study: finding patterns in epilepsy in rural Africa and its links to genes
A plan to study epilepsy in rural Nigeria to discover how common it is, what factors affect risk, and how genetics may influence it, with results that could improve care for people with epilepsy.
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.