In the News: $25,000 Grant Awarded to University of Richmond Researcher

The University of Richmond posted this media release story on their site on March 5, 2024. You can also read the article below or as this PDF.

Grant At-A-Glance
Colleen Carpenter-Swanson, Coston Family Fellow in Molecular Biology, has received $25,000 from the STXBP1 Foundation to use zebrafish to investigate the potential of repurposing FDA-approved drugs as anti-epileptic treatments. Colleen previously worked with Scott Baraban at the Baraban Lab in UCSF.

Grant Abstract
Epilepsy is an umbrella term for a group of debilitating, chronic brain disorders, where individuals experience spontaneous, recurrent seizures. Seizures are due to abnormal activity along the electrical networks in the brain and may lead to sudden uncontrolled jerky movements, loss of consciousness, confusion and death. Epilepsies related to STXBP1 gene mutations are among the most severe observed clinically. Unfortunately, existing treatments often fall short of providing relief for this patient population.

The first step in treating a disease is to gain a concrete understanding of its origin using an experimental animal model. The second step is to use this information to identify new therapies.In this project, we turn to zebrafish, specifically larvae with a mutated version of STXBP1, to search for potential new drugs to combat these epilepsies. Our main goal in this project is to rapidly and efficiently test a wide range of commercially available drugs to see if they can reduce behavioral and electrical seizures in this model. Through the examination of pharmaceuticals already available on the market, we aim to discover novel applications for compounds with established safety profiles. This strategy has the potential to accelerate getting effective therapies to individuals afflicted with STXBP1-related epilepsies.

University of Richmond Biology Professor Colleen Carpenter-Swanson Awarded Grant Funding for Epilepsy Research

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Biology professor Colleen Carpenter-Swanson has received $25,000 in grant funding from the STXBP1 Foundation for epilepsy research.

Carpenter-Swanson and her undergraduate research students use zebrafish to investigate the potential of repurposing FDA-approved drugs as anti-epileptic treatments. Successful drug discovery in this study may offer future treatment avenues for STXBP1-linked epilepsy disorders in humans.

STXBP1, which stands for syntaxin-binding protein 1, is a protein that plays an important role in brain function. STXBP1-linked epilepsies represent some of the most severe childhood-onset disorders.

“Along with frequent seizures, patients often display significant cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric challenges,” Carpenter-Swanson said. “Though various anti-epileptic drugs are available, they frequently prove ineffective in preventing or managing seizures, and many impose serious side effects on the developing brain.”

Zebrafish and humans share approximately 70% of the same protein-coding genes, including the STXBP1 gene, making the zebrafish a promising model for expanding the understanding of STXBP1-linked epilepsies.

“This research may uncover novel treatment routes that could improve the prognosis for affected individuals,” Carpenter-Swanson said.

Carpenter-Swanson, Coston Family Fellow in Molecular Biology, joined the University of Richmond faculty in 2021. She has previously received research funding from the LGS Foundation.

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