Using machine learning to improve diagnosis of functional seizures
Official title: Feasibility of machine learning to improve the diagnostic odyssey for functional seizures
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11054788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new tool to help doctors quickly figure out if someone has functional seizures instead of epilepsy, which can take a long time to diagnose, so that patients can get the right help sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $224,258 |
| NIH project number | 1K23NS135134-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing recurrent unprovoked seizures that have not been diagnosed as epilepsy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed with epilepsy or other seizure disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the diagnosis of functional seizures, which are often misidentified as epilepsy, by developing a computer-aided diagnostic tool. The project focuses on creating a Functional Seizures Likelihood Score (FSLS) that helps non-expert clinicians identify patients who may have functional seizures more quickly. By utilizing data from video-EEG monitoring, the research seeks to reduce the average delay of 8.4 years in diagnosing these seizures, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The study will also gather preliminary data for a future clinical trial that aims to streamline the diagnostic process using electronic health records.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the time to accurately diagnose functional seizures, leading to better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using computer-aided diagnostic tools for improving diagnosis in various medical fields, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kerr, Wesley Thomas Kim — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kerr, Wesley Thomas Kim
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.