Legacy in Epilepsy Research

The University of Minnesota has played a transformative role in epilepsy research by uniting the strengths of its College of Pharmacy, Neuroscience, College of Science and Engineering, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and clinical epilepsy programs. Pioneers like Dr. James Cloyd and Dr. Ilo Leppik have led advancements in epilepsy pharmacotherapy, creating
life-saving treatments and shaping how anti-epileptic drugs are developed, tested, and delivered. Their contributions have not only improved emergency seizure management and long-term care but have also trained generations of researchers and clinicians. Today, their work continues to influence global treatment standards, while new initiatives in precision neuro modulation and device-drug integration carry their legacy forward.

“Data-Driven. Patient-Focused. Mission-Centered”

• Development of Seizure Rescue Therapies: Dr. James Cloyd led the development of Diastat (rectal diazepam) and VALTOCO (intranasal diazepam), revolutionizing out-of-hospital seizure emergency care.
• Emergency Treatments for Status Epilepticus: Dr. James Cloyd and Dr. Lisa Cole played leading roles in multicenter clinical trials evaluating intravenous antiseizure medications capable of halting status epilepticus, a life-threatening medical emergency. Their work has improved emergency protocols and access to effective rescue therapies.
• Approval of New Antiseizure Medications: Drs. Ilo Leppik, James Cloyd, and their collaborators contributed to the clinical development and FDA approval of several novel anti seizure medications, including Felbamate, Gabapentin, and Levetiracetam—treatments that have since become mainstays in epilepsy care worldwide.
• Advancements in Antiepileptic Drug Pharmacokinetics: Research led by Drs. Cloyd and Leppik has deepened understanding of drug absorption, metabolism, and interactions—leading to safer, more effective treatment regimens.
• Focus on Vulnerable Populations: Dr. Ilo Leppik pioneered research into epilepsy care for older adults and nursing home residents, a historically under-studied population.
• Women's Health in Epilepsy: Dr. Angela Birnbaum and her team have made significant strides in identifying safer anti seizure medications for women during pregnancy and lactation. Their research has helped guide treatment decisions to protect both mothers and their babies, making a lasting impact on women’s health in epilepsy.
• Cannabidiol (CBD) Research: Dr. Leppik conducted early studies on the pharmacokinetics and cognitive side effects of CBD, informing the safe use of medical cannabis in epilepsy.
• Training the Next Generation: The University has been a national hub for epilepsy research education, training PhD, PharmD, and MD fellows in clinical pharmacology and orphan drug development.

The University of Minnesota has also been a leader in advancing non-pharmacological approaches to epilepsy treatment, integrating neuroscience, engineering, and imaging to develop safer and more precise therapies:

Neuro modulation and the Cerebellum: Dr. Esther Krook-Magnuson and Dr. Martha Streng have conducted groundbreaking research demonstrating that deep cerebellar structures may serve as novel targets for neuro modulation in temporal lobe epilepsy, opening new avenues for therapy in patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery.

Computational Modeling for Seizure Control: Drs. Tay Netoff and Robert McGovern, along with their team, led pioneering work in computational neuroscience to develop algorithms that identify optimal stimulation parameters for controlling seizures. Their work has laid the foundation for intelligent, adaptive neuro modulation technologies.

Ultra-High Field Brain Imaging (7T MRI): Dr. Thomas Henry was among the first investigators to explore the use of 7 Tesla MRI for identifying subtle brain lesions in epilepsy. His early efforts contributed to the method’s eventual FDA approval, now used nationwide to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Thalamic Targeting for Safer Surgery: Drs. Noam Harel and Remi Patriat, along with their team, have developed innovative imaging techniques to precisely identify thalamic targets for deep brain stimulation. Their work is helping neurosurgeons perform safer and more effective implantations in hard-to-treat epilepsy.

Current efforts aim to combine drug therapies with implantable neuro modulation devices to deliver personalized, side-effect-free epilepsy care, fulfilling the founding mission:   “No seizures. No side effects.”