Project Grant R01NS146021

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke awarded Vanderbilt University Medical Center $688,785 on September 1, 2026, under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853) to investigate arousal network dysfunction in temporal lobe epilepsy.

The research examines how recurrent consciousness-impairing focal seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy patients affect subcortical arousal networks and contribute to long-term neurocognitive deficits beyond the temporal lobe itself. The project employs three integrated aims: measuring ictal stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) signals during seizures to determine whether consciousness-impairing focal seizures initiate short-term functional connectivity alterations in neocortex and arousal networks; assessing the relative contributions of disease versus antiseizure medication treatment by repeating functional MRI measures and cognitive assessments in patients during full medication therapy and after medication reduction in the epilepsy monitoring unit; and examining reversibility of arousal network dysfunction through longitudinal follow-up. The research will compare short-term SEEG connectivity disturbances with long-term connectivity changes measured by functional MRI to establish the mechanistic link between acute seizure events and chronic network perturbations.

Work is performed in Forest Hills, Tennessee. The award runs from September 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031, as a Project Grant under the assistance type classification.