The 2011 Brighter Future Award
Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is the most common cause of neonatal seizures and often results in long-term neurological problems. Current first-line drugs to treat seizures in these children are not effective and are associated with significant side effects. Potassium channels play an important role in controlling brain excitability during early life. Dr. Raol’s project will examine whether a potassium channel opener (flupirtine) can treat HI-induced neonatal seizures and alter long-term adverse neurological outcomes in an animal model of HI. This medication has been in clinical use in Europe for decades and, if successful, these studies could rapidly translate into a new effective treatment for neonatal seizures caused by HI and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of epilepsy in these children.
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