Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University received a $420,142 Project Grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853), awarded May 4, 2026, with completion targeted for April 30, 2028. The grant supports research investigating the contribution of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to epileptogenesis in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and Dravet Syndrome (DS), two significant forms of acquired and genetic epilepsy respectively. The research will examine how brain-derived EVs (BDEVs) transition from protective to pathogenic states during disease development, leveraging preliminary findings demonstrating anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of EVs derived from mesenchymal stem cells and neural stem cells in epilepsy models.

The project addresses a critical gap in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TLE and DS, particularly given that approximately 30% of epilepsy patients develop treatment-resistant seizures. By characterizing EV dysregulation in disease states and its contribution to neuroinflammation, the research aims to facilitate development of improved therapeutic interventions for these neurological disorders. The award is being conducted at Emory University's Atlanta, Georgia location through the Office of Sponsored Programs Division.