The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awarded a 5-year, $644,749 Project Grant (CFDA 93.853 - Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders) to Tufts University to research targeting alternative splicing of sodium channels as a potential treatment for pediatric epileptic encephalopathies. The project aims to evaluate the role of alternative splicing in the SCN8A sodium channel on brain activity, neuronal excitability, and seizure susceptibility. It will also determine the efficacy of an ASO (antisense oligonucleotide) therapy in correcting SCN8A function and reducing seizures in a mouse model. Additionally, the researchers will identify regulatory elements and splicing factors that control SCN8A exon splicing to inform the development of new ASO treatments. Tufts has subcontracted a portion of the research to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to support the project.
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