Understanding how sleep affects epilepsy
Official title: Network dynamics of sleep-wake states in epilepsy
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11003725 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep affects seizures in people with hard-to-treat epilepsy, using special brain imaging to find out how different brain activities during sleep might help us develop better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $216,972 |
| NIH project number | 5K23NS125123-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003725 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy who experience frequent seizures despite current treatments.
✕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 relationship between sleep-wake states and epilepsy, particularly focusing on patients who have drug-resistant epilepsy. By using advanced imaging techniques like magnetoencephalography (MEG) and diffusion tensor imaging, the study aims to explore how different brain network dynamics during sleep can influence seizure activity. The goal is to identify specific network features that correlate with varying levels of seizure potential, which could lead to more effective neuromodulation therapies for patients. This approach seeks to provide a mechanistic understanding that could improve treatment outcomes for those suffering from epilepsy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, potentially reducing seizure frequency and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the dynamics of brain networks in relation to epilepsy, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fan, Joline — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Fan, Joline
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.