Understanding how antiseizure medications affect pregnant women and breastfeeding infants
Official title: Physiological-based Pharmacokinetics Approach to Determine the Extent of Drug Exposure of Antiseizure Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11180105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how antiseizure medications affect pregnant women with epilepsy and their breastfeeding babies, aiming to find the best ways to keep both mom and baby healthy while managing seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $546,216 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105305-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women with epilepsy who are currently taking antiseizure medications and breastfeeding mothers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, or those without epilepsy, may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of antiseizure medications on pregnant women with epilepsy and their breastfeeding infants. It aims to balance the need for these medications to prevent seizures against potential risks to fetal and infant development. Using physiological-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) methods, the study will analyze drug exposure levels in both mothers and their children, providing insights into optimal dosing strategies. The research will utilize existing clinical data, animal studies, and new samples to create accurate models of drug exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer medication practices for pregnant women with epilepsy, ultimately improving health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using pharmacokinetic modeling to understand drug exposure, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Birnbaum, Angela K — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Birnbaum, Angela K
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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.