Why new hippocampal neurons grow abnormally after brain injury and seizures
Molecular control of aberrant adult-born granule cells in epilepsy
This project looks at the genes and signals that make new brain cells in the hippocampus grow abnormally after a severe brain injury or prolonged seizure, aiming to help people at risk of developing epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas San Antonio NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144256 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've had a severe brain injury or a prolonged seizure, researchers are studying how newly born neurons in the hippocampus change shape and connections in ways that may lead to epilepsy. They will use established animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy to follow activity, calcium signaling, and gene expression in immature adult-born granule cells during the silent period before seizures start. The team will identify the genes and signaling pathways that drive these abnormal cells and will map which neurons send inputs to them. The goal is to define the cellular steps from injury to epilepsy so future treatments can target those steps to prevent seizures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The research itself uses animal models and does not enroll patients, but its findings would be most relevant to adults who have experienced severe traumatic brain injury or status epilepticus and are at risk for developing temporal lobe epilepsy.
Not a fit: People without prior brain injury or those with long-established, treatment-resistant epilepsy are unlikely to see direct, immediate benefit from this preclinical, mechanistic work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets to stop abnormal newborn neurons and reduce the risk of developing epilepsy after brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies, including the PI's work that removed new neurons, showed new neurons can promote epilepsy, but this project takes a more novel molecular and circuit-level approach to find the underlying causes.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas San Antonio — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsieh, Jenny — University of Texas San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Hsieh, Jenny
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 below.