Understanding how brain activity relates to epilepsy and its treatment
Official title: Cellular and network mechanisms of epilepsy and neuromodulation
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11129235 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how epilepsy works in the brain and aims to find ways to predict seizures and improve treatment for people who don’t respond to medication, using electrical stimulation to help manage their condition better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $657,958 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS139524-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129235 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with epilepsy, particularly those who experience drug-resistant seizures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-controlled epilepsy or those who do not experience seizures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular and network mechanisms underlying epilepsy, a serious brain disorder affecting millions. It focuses on identifying specific biomarkers present between seizures that can help predict seizure risk and improve management. The study also explores the effects of neuromodulation through electrical stimulation as a treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. By combining expertise from various fields, the research aims to uncover the neural mechanisms involved and optimize stimulation parameters for better clinical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prediction and management of seizures, enhancing treatment options for patients with epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying biomarkers for epilepsy and the potential of neuromodulation, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Xue — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Han, Xue
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.