# Blood transcriptome profiling following seizures

> **NIH NIH R21** · MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $387,199

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: The retrospective diagnosis of a seizure, is very challenging. Many times clinicians can only use
a patient’s self-reported history in this determination. Further, 20-30 % of patients reporting a seizure actually
suffer from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). These patients have the motor behavior of a seizure,
but not the electrographic discharge of seizure activity. Considerable time and resources are used to monitor
such PNES, patients including administering unnecessary therapy with anti-epileptic drugs. Medical resources
could be more effectively used if we could confirm a seizure after the event (retrospective diagnosis). Here we
propose a novel approach to retrospectively distinguish seizures from PNES after the event has occurred.
 We have developed an accurate blood biomarker technology to retrospectively diagnose acute brain
injury. Previous studies support the premise that seizures affect blood RNA expression; accordingly. here we
assess temporal RNA expression pattern changes following seizures. We present preliminary preclinical data
showing the discrimination of induced epileptic seizures vs no induced seizures following hippocampal electric-
stimulation in blood of animals. Here, we will validate in humans this maturing technology to assist with the
discrimination of epileptic seizures from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
 To accomplish this, we will analyze RNA expression in blood samples from patients undergoing EEG
monitoring in an epilepsy monitoring unit (Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta GA). Previous experience
supports that 20% of these patients will have PNES. Once a patient has an EEG recorded event, we will
collect blood at various time points and identify biomarker RNA molecules in the blood. Blood samples will be
collected from patients with EEG verified and EEG non-verified seizures. These RNA expression patterns will
be used to verify a predictive test for the retrospective diagnosis of seizures. A biomarker gene panel will be
developed from this exploratory project for validation in a larger patient population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9958684
- **Project number:** 1R21NS116726-01
- **Recipient organization:** MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Monica Dhakar
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $387,199
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2022-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9958684

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9958684, Blood transcriptome profiling following seizures (1R21NS116726-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9958684. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*