Understanding the genetics of epilepsy in Mali
Official title: Genetics of Epilepsy in Mali (GENEP-Mali)
Funded at Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako · NIH-10862856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping kids in Mali who have epilepsy by teaching doctors how to better recognize and treat it, while also learning more about their experiences and collecting DNA samples to find out if there are any genetic reasons for their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bamako, Mali) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $446,492 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS118522-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10862856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with epilepsy, particularly children under 11 years old, living in Mali.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy living outside of Mali or those who do not have access to the healthcare system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on epilepsy, a common neurological disorder affecting many people in Mali, particularly children under 11 years old. The project aims to educate healthcare providers on recognizing and treating epilepsy, while also gathering detailed information about patients' experiences and symptoms. By collecting DNA samples from patients with specific epilepsy types, researchers will use advanced DNA sequencing techniques to identify genetic causes of the condition. The findings could lead to better treatment options and a deeper understanding of epilepsy in the Malian population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for epilepsy patients in Mali.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in identifying genetic causes of epilepsy in various populations, but this approach is novel for sub-Saharan Africa.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako
Bamako, Mali Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Landoure, Guida — Univ of Sciences, Tech & Tech of Bamako
- Study coordinator: Landoure, Guida
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.
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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.