Ventral pallidum brain stimulation for epilepsy
Official title: Ventral Pallidum deep brain stimulation for epilepsy
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11450530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A brain stimulation therapy in people with epilepsy whose seizures aren’t controlled by medicines or surgery is being studied to see if it can help achieve seizure freedom.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $564,010 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS141961-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with epilepsy who have inadequate seizure control despite medications and are not good candidates for or have not benefited from existing neuromodulation options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with epilepsy that cannot be targeted safely by this procedure or who do not respond to neuromodulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are testing whether deep brain stimulation of the ventral pallidum can reduce or prevent seizures in epilepsy patients who have limited options. The project builds on animal data and aims to translate findings into human trials, focusing on safety, tolerability, and preliminary seizure outcomes. If successful, this approach could offer a new neuromodulation option for people with hard-to-treat epilepsy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain better seizure control and potentially seizure freedom with a new neuromodulation therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in rat models show promise, but human results are still to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shin, Damian Seung-Ho — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Shin, Damian Seung-Ho
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeted deep brain stimulation to reduce infantile epilepsy spasms
This project will see if tiny electrical pulses delivered to specific deep brain areas can reduce severe infantile spasms, first in animal models to help design future treatments for babies.
-
Finding the brain circuit behind focal epilepsy using lesions and deep brain stimulation
This project uses patterns of brain injury and responses to deep brain stimulation to find the brain circuit that causes and treats focal epilepsy in people with lesions from stroke, trauma, or tumors.
-
Identifying brain circuits involved in epilepsy using brain lesions and stimulation techniques
This study is looking at how brain injuries from things like strokes can cause focal epilepsy and whether a treatment called deep brain stimulation can help, aiming to understand why it works for some people but not others, so we can find better ways to treat epilepsy in the future.
-
Personalized deep brain stimulation for epilepsy treatment
This study is looking to help people with epilepsy who don't find relief from regular medications by using a special treatment that targets specific areas of their brain, making it more personalized and effective just for them.
-
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.
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.