Verapamil to protect the brain after organophosphate-caused seizures
Official title: Identification and optimization of verapamil as a novel neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent for reducing long-term neurological morbidities following organophosphate-induced status epilepticus
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11190447 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are giving the blood-pressure drug verapamil after severe seizures caused by organophosphate poisoning to try to reduce brain inflammation and long-term problems with memory and seizures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $653,216 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3NS133630-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190447 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The eventual human candidates would be people who survive organophosphate poisoning and experienced prolonged seizures or status epilepticus.
✕Less likely to help
People whose seizures are not related to organophosphate exposure or who have medical contraindications to verapamil (for example certain heart problems) may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses laboratory models of organophosphate-induced status epilepticus to test verapamil as a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory treatment. Investigators deliver verapamil after seizure control and measure brain inflammation, neuronal survival, long-term cognitive performance, and later spontaneous seizures. They will optimize dose and delivery timing and compare outcomes to current emergency care measures. The goal is to generate the data needed to move this repurposed, already-approved drug toward human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, verapamil could lower brain inflammation and reduce long-term cognitive decline and recurrent seizures after organophosphate-induced severe seizures.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and preclinical studies have suggested verapamil has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, and preliminary rodent data after organophosphate seizures show promising reductions in inflammation and brain injury, but human use for this purpose is not yet tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deshpande, Laxmikant S — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Deshpande, Laxmikant S
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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.