# Neurotrophins and Epileptogenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $493,338

## Abstract

Project Summary
Lack of preventive and disease modifying treatments for common disorders of the human
nervous system is a glaring unmet medical need critical to the mission of NINDS. The work
proposed here represents a novel approach to uncover molecular signaling mechanisms
underlying temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Work accomplished during the current funding period
reveals a pivotal role for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) receptor tyrosine
kinase,TrkB, in the development of TLE induced by status epilepticus. TrkB-mediated activation
of the effector, phospholipase C1, is the dominant pathway by which TrkB promotes
development of TLE. The objective of the current application is to explore the role of TrkB
signaling in the persistence of TLE. To accomplish this objective, we will examine the effect of
pharmacological and genetic perturbations of TrkB signaling on epilepsy induced in diverse
models of TLE. Successful completion of the work proposed may pave the way to preventive
and/or disease modifying therapy of TLE, a common disorder of the human central nervous
system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939699
- **Project number:** 5R01NS056217-14
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** James O. McNamara
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $493,338
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2006-07-15 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939699

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939699, Neurotrophins and Epileptogenesis (5R01NS056217-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939699. Licensed CC0.

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