Understanding how brain circuits control seizures in epilepsy
Official title: Neural circuit mechanisms controlling seizures
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11268781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells behave during seizures in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy, hoping to find new ways to better control seizures and improve treatment for people living with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 15, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $71,303 |
| NIH project number | 3R00NS121399-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11268781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who suffer from temporal lobe epilepsy and have not responded well to current anti-epileptic medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy types other than temporal lobe epilepsy or those who are not experiencing uncontrolled seizures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms in the brain that lead to seizures in adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a condition that often results in cognitive decline. By using advanced techniques that combine light and calcium to study brain cells, the researchers aim to identify specific groups of cells that become active during seizures. They will utilize two different models of TLE to explore how these cells behave and whether targeting them can help control seizures more effectively. This approach seeks to uncover new therapeutic strategies that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with epilepsy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for controlling seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding seizure mechanisms using similar cellular and circuit-based approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Quynh Anh — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Quynh Anh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
-
Gene editing therapies to prevent epileptic seizures
A new gene-editing approach aims to reduce seizures in people with epilepsy by directly modifying a brain gene tied to the condition.
-
Detecting Absence Seizures in Kids at Home with a Mobile Recorder
A new mobile app helps doctors remotely diagnose and monitor childhood absence epilepsy using guided hyperventilation and video analysis to speed up treatment.
-
Seizures and long-term outcomes after childhood stroke
This project looks at whether early seizures and inflammation after a childhood stroke are linked to later epilepsy and recovery in kids up to 19 years old.
-
Using the brain’s natural connector to detect and prevent seizures
A study at Case Western Reserve University is exploring whether gently stimulating a natural brain pathway called the corpus callosum can help identify where seizures start and stop them from spreading in people with hard-to-control epilepsy.
-
Disentangling How Inhibitory Brain Cells Shape Seizures in People
This NIH grant tests how specific brain cells that normally calm the brain influence seizures in adults, using advanced optical methods in living subjects.
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.