Understanding how brain cells regulate their volume and affect nerve activity
Official title: Mechanisms of astrocyte volume regulation and control of neural excitability
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11050257 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special channel in brain cells helps control their size and communication, focusing on a type of brain cell called astrocytes, to better understand how these processes might lead to seizures and other brain problems, which could help find new treatments for conditions like epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $608,899 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS136434-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050257 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 years old who are experiencing epilepsy or related neurological conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurological conditions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a specific channel in brain cells called the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC), which helps control cell volume and influences how brain cells communicate. By studying how astrocytes, a type of brain cell, manage their volume and release substances like glutamate, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that contribute to brain excitability and conditions like epilepsy. The team will explore how changes in cell volume can lead to seizures and other neurological issues, potentially leading to new insights into treatment options for these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for epilepsy and other neurological disorders by targeting the mechanisms of brain cell excitability.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of VRAC in epilepsy has not been directly tested before, related research on brain cell volume regulation has shown promising results in understanding neurological conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fiacco, Todd a — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Fiacco, Todd a
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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.