Using electrical stimulation to predict memory issues after brain surgery
Official title: Inactivation of the hippocampus by electrical stimulation to preview post-surgical verbal recognition memory deficits
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11009971 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using electrical stimulation in a part of the brain called the hippocampus can help doctors better understand and predict memory problems in people with epilepsy who are about to have surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $450,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129542-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009971 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy who are considering surgery involving hippocampal resection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have mesial temporal lobe epilepsy or those who are not candidates for surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how electrical stimulation of the hippocampus can help predict memory deficits in patients undergoing surgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. By using depth electrodes placed in the hippocampus, the study aims to create temporary memory deficits that mimic the effects of surgical removal of brain tissue. This approach seeks to provide a more accurate assessment of potential memory loss compared to the traditional Wada test, which may not reflect modern surgical techniques. Patients will be monitored during this process to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in predicting post-surgical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical planning and better preservation of memory function for patients undergoing hippocampal resection.
How similar studies have gone: While electrical stimulation has been used to study memory processes, its application for predicting post-surgical memory deficits is less explored, making this approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Brian — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lee, Brian
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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.