Understanding how enkephalin affects brain circuits after traumatic brain injury
Official title: Enkephalin-mediated hippocampal circuit disinhibition after traumatic brain injury
Funded at Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-11053419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a natural substance in the brain called enkephalin affects seizure activity in veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, with the goal of finding better ways to treat epilepsy that can develop after such injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01BX006921-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and are experiencing post-traumatic epilepsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a traumatic brain injury or do not have epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of enkephalin, an endogenous opioid peptide, in the hippocampus following traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly focusing on its impact on post-traumatic epilepsy. The study aims to understand how changes in brain circuits contribute to increased seizure activity in veterans who have suffered head injuries. By examining the upregulation of enkephalin and its effects on synaptic function, the research seeks to uncover new treatment approaches for managing epilepsy that arises after TBI. The methodology includes advanced techniques to analyze neuronal signaling and circuit alterations in the hippocampus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for epilepsy in patients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of enkephalin in epilepsy has been noted, this specific approach to understanding its impact on TBI-related epilepsy is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schnell, Eric — Portland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Schnell, Eric
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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.