U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know

      Official websites use .gov
                A
                .gov
                website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
          Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
                A lock
                  (
                  
                  )
                   or
                  https://
                   means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.Search
                Menu
    
                      Información en Español
                      Search NINDSSearch NINDS
            

            Main navigation
  

        
              Health Information
                                     Toggle Health Information Dropdown
                                Disorders
                Clinical Trials
                Patient & Caregiver Education
                Public Education
                Support Resources
                Funding
                                     Toggle Funding Dropdown
                                Find Funding Opportunities
                About Funding
                Preparing Your Application
                After You Submit
                Determining Your Funding Likelihood
                Manage Your Award
                NINDS Small Business Program
                Training & Career Development
                Current Research
                                     Toggle Current Research Dropdown
                                Coronavirus and NINDS
                Focus on Disorders
                Focus on Tools & Topics
                Research Funded by NINDS
                Research at NINDS
                Scientific Resources
                Trans-Agency Activities
                News & Events
                                     Toggle News & Events Dropdown
                                Events
                News
                Director's Messages
                About NINDS
                                     Toggle About NINDS Dropdown
                                Who We Are
                What We Do
                Job Opportunities 
 Home
                                Current Research
                        Focus on Disorders
                        Epilepsy Research
SHARE: Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP)
Overview

The mission of the NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP) is to facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic agents that address the unmet medical needs in epilepsy. Historically, the ETSP has focused on identifying symptomatic treatments for seizure disorders, but based on recent recommendations from working groups of the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council, the program is focused on addressing drug resistant epilepsy, disease prevention and modification. Other key recommendations implemented include forming an External Consultant Board (ECB) to provide regular feedback to the ETSP and changing the name of the program to reflect the emphasis on identifying differentiated agents to address the unmet medical needs of epilepsy. The program provides opportunities for researchers from academia and industry in the U.S. and abroad to submit compounds for screening in a battery of rodent epilepsy and seizure models. These tests are performed at a contract facility based at the University of Utah on a blinded and confidential basis and at no cost to the ETSP participants. The NINDS ETSP staff reports test results to participants and provides advice on next steps for promising compounds. Since its establishment in 1975, the program has made important contributions to the development of several FDA-approved drugs for epilepsy, including felbamate (Felbatol), topirimate (Topamax), lacosamide (Vimpat), retigabine (Potiga), cannabidiol (Epidiolex) and cenobamate (Xcopri).

Description of Testing Services

Evaluation of a submitted compound for suitability for testing in the ETSP begins with an assessment of the compound’s biological and chemical rationale that includes a structural comparison within an internal program database of over 30,000 compounds to determine if the compound has been tested previously. Accepted compounds are then evaluated in assays from specific flowcharts (such as the drug resistant epilepsy flowchart).   Each stage of evaluation occurs with NINDS ETSP staff consultation with the participant. The ETSP provides feedback on results and an assessment of the potential success of each particular compound or compound class.

Over the forty year history of the ETSP, the models in use have evolved over time such that new assays have been added to the program and others have been discontinued. See the ETSP's PANAChE website for a description of all models and tests used, both currently and historically, in the ETSP. The site also describes the specific flow charts currently used for compound evaluation.

How to Participate

Those interested in participating should contact Brian Klein, PhD for more information and to discuss research goals, resources, and timelines. This process will typically begin with an introductory meeting with the NINDS ETSP team. A signed confidentiality agreement between the NINDS and each potential participant is required before submission of compounds for evaluation. For compounds approved for testing in the program, preliminary screening is normally performed using *in vivo* rodent models, thus an initial sample size of approximately 350 to 500 mg is required, unless prior knowledge of the compound's efficacy and toxicity is available which can better define the expected dose range needed. Directions for packaging and compound submission will also be provided prior to sample shipment.

Confidentiality

NINDS recognizes the importance of confidentiality to the success of the ETSP and its participants. Participation in the ETSP begins only after the appropriate representatives from both the participant's organization and the NINDS sign the confidentiality agreement. This document defines the legal parameters for the partnership. All screening and other communication activities are performed in strict confidence to help safeguard the participant's intellectual property. Chemical structures are considered proprietary unless otherwise specified by the supplier. The only testing undertaken by the ETSP is that agreed upon by participants in collaboration with ETSP personnel. To further assure confidentiality, each newly submitted compound is assigned a unique ETSP number code to be used in communications, tracking, and analysis. Screening personnel are blinded to both the structure and the source of submitted compounds, and screening results are provided exclusively to the participating supplier unless otherwise authorized.

External Consultant Board

The External Consultant Board (ECB) was established in 2015 to provide feedback on the ETSP direction, testing strategy and models and workflows in development. The ECB was established based on recommendations from the 2015 report prepared by a Working Group of the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council following a review of the ETSP. The ECB members are internationally recognized leaders in epilepsy research and bring unique perspective as physician scientists, industry and academic researchers, and patient advocacy. They collectively provide expertise in basic, translational, and clinical research, clinical practice, and drug development. The ETSP meets with the ECB panel biannually to discuss the program’s progress, proposed changes to testing strategy and new directions. However, individual ETSP participants and their project’sdata are confidential and are not shared or discussed with the ECB members.

Image
              Photo of Amy Brooks-Kayal, MD

Amy Brooks-Kayal, MD
Chair and Professor
Department of Neurology
University of California, Davis

Image
              Photo of Jennifer Kearney, PhD

Jennifer Kearney, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Image
              Photo of Henrik Klitgaard, PhD

Henrik Klitgaard, PhD
Vice President
UCB Biopharma SPRL, Braine-I’Alleud

Image
              Photo of Wolfgang Löscher, DVM, PhD

Wolfgang Löscher, DVM, PhD
Professor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy
University of Veterinary Medicine and Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover

Image
              Photo of Laura Lubber, PhD

Laura Lubbers, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
CURE Epilepsy

Image
              Photo of James McNamara, MD

James McNamara, MD
Professor of Neurobiology, Neurology, and Pharmacology
Director, Center for Translational Neuroscience
Duke University School of Medicine

Resources and Tools

News & Events

*****  NINDS ETSP staff member(s) planning to attend or make presentation**

International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders 2024
April 1 - 4, 2024, Park City, UT

******* Seventeenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XVII) 
May 5 - 8, 2024, Madrid, Spain

International Conference on Post-Traumatic Epilepsy (IC-PTE): Roadmap to Prevention
May 15 - 18, 2024, Milan, Italy

Third International Workshop on High Frequency Oscillations in Epilepsy
May 23 - 25, 2024, New York, NY

Mechanisms of Epilepsy and Neuronal Synchronization (GRS) Gordon Research Seminar: Transformations Governing the Transition of A Healthy to an Epileptic Brain
August 17 - 18, 2024, Waterville Valley, NH

******* 2024 Epilepsy Pipeline Conference 
September 25 - 26, 2024, Atlanta, GA

Wellness & Epilepsy Conference
November 2, 2024, Livonia, MI

******* Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES 2024) 
December 6 - 10, 2024, Los Angeles Convention Center, CA

Contacts

Brian Klein, PhD | Program DirectorBrian.klein@nih.gov

Yogendra Raol, PhD | Scientific Project Manageryogendra.raol@nih.gov

Shalini Sharma, M.S.B. | Scientific Project Manager, Medicinal ChemistShalini.sharma@nih.gov

Dhananjaya Kempegowda, B.Eng. | Data Scientist Engineerdhananjaya.kempegowda@nih.gov

Lekyla Whitaker | Operations Coordinatorlekyla.whitaker@nih.gov



Related Topics

PANAChE Database

A web-based research tool called PANAChE (**P**ublic **A**ccess to **N**euroactive & **A**nticonvulsant **Ch**emical **E**valuations) provides open access to nonproprietary chemical structures and biological data for compounds previously screened in the ETSP, including antiseizure drugs (ASDs) as well as drugs used for other indications. This database is being populated beginning with known drugs in the public domain and only those ETSP compounds that are approved by the participant or program data subsequently published by the participant. PANAChE is also a repository for information on the animal models and assays currently or historically used in the ETSP.

ETSP Compound Registration and Test Report Web Portal (registration required)

Reports on the ETSP (2020) and ASP (2015 & 2012) from NANDS Council Working Groups

May 2020(pdf, 357 KB)
	May 2015
	February 2012 Current Research
  
    

    Coronavirus and NINDS
                                                              
                    
                                      COVID-19 News & Events
    
            Coronavirus and the Nervous System
    
            ResourcesFocus on Disorders
                                                              
                    
                                      Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
                                                              
                    
                                      Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
    
            Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Research
    
            Mixed-Etiology Dementias (MED) Research
    
            Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID)Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
    
            Epilepsy Research
                                                              
                    
                                      Curing the Epilepsies: The Promise of Research
    
            Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP)Pain Research
    
            Parkinson's Disease Research
                                                              
                    
                                      Parkinson's Disease: Challenges, Progress, and Promise
    
            Parkinson’s Disease Research Centers of ExcellenceSpinal Cord Injury Research
    
            Traumatic Brain Injury Research
                                                              
                    
                                      NIH Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Diagnosis ConferenceUndiagnosed Disease Network
        
  
              
    
            Focus on Tools & Topics
                                                              
                    
                                      Biomarkers Research
                                                              
                    
                                      Biomarker Program FAQs
    
            Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Biospecimen Resource Access Committee (ME/CFS BRAC)Health Disparities Research
    
            Focus on the Neural Exposome
    
            Neural Engineering Research
    
            Neuroethics
    
            Stem Cell Research
        
  
              
    
            Research Funded by NINDS
                                                              
                    
                                      Clinical Research
                                                              
                    
                                      Office of Global Health and Health Disparities
                                                              
                    
                                      HERN Initiative
    
            U.S.-Japan Brain Research Cooperative Program (BRCP)NeuroNEXT
                                                              
                    
                                      NeuroNEXT Clinical SitesNeuroscience Research
                                                              
                    
                                      Fundamental Neuroscience ResearchTranslational Research
                                                              
                    
                                      Active Projects for Partnering
    
            CREATE Bio
                                                              
                    
                                      CREATE Bio Application Support Library
    
            CREATE Bio Contract Resources/Consultants
    
            CREATE Bio Guidance DocumentsDTR Staff Publications about Programs
    
            Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE Program)
                                                              
                    
                                      IGNITE - Definitions for Key Terms
    
            IGNITE Milestone ExamplesONETOX: Neural Exposome and Toxicology Programs
                                                              
                    
                                      The Neural Exposome
    
            Chemical Threats
    
            Chemical SafetyTranslational Devices
                                                              
                    
                                      Device Frequently Asked Questions
    
            Human Open Research Neural Engineering Technologies (HORNET) initiative
    
            Milestones for Translational Device Cooperative AgreementsUltra-rare Gene-based Therapy (URGenT) Network
                                                              
                    
                                      Current URGenT Projects
    
            URGenT External Consultant Board (ECB) Members
    
            URGenT Project Consultants & ContractsResearch at NINDS
                                                              
                    
                                      Blue Ribbon Panel Review of NINDS Intramural Research Program
                                                              
                    
                                      Blue Ribbon Panel Highlights
    
            Blue Ribbon Panel Roster
    
            Charge to the Blue Ribbon Panel
    
            Executive Summary of the NINDS Blue Ribbon Panel ReviewScientific Resources
                                                              
                    
                                      Animal Models
    
            Cell/Tissue/DNA
    
            Clinical and Translational Resources
    
            Gene ExpressionTrans-Agency Activities
                                                              
                    
                                      CounterACT Program
                                                              
                    
                                      CounterACT Contract Core Resources
    
            CounterACT Publications
    
            CounterACT Scientific Research Contacts
    
            Current CounterACT Researchers & Projects
    
            FDA Guidance Documents
    
            NIH CounterACT Researcher Honors and AwardsICARE: Interagency Collaborative to Advance Research in Epilepsy
    
            Interagency Research Coordinating Committees
    
            NINDS' Role in the HEAL Initiative
                                                              
                    
                                      Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net)
    
            Pain Therapeutics Development Program
    
            Preclinical Screening Platform for Pain (PSPP)Office of Emergency Care Research
                                                              
                    
                                      OECR Funded Awards
    
            Research Involving an Exception from Informed ConsentRigor & Transparency
                                                              
                    
                                      Initiative to Improve Education in the Principles of Rigorous Research
    
            Rigor Champions and Opportunities
                                                              
                    
                                      NINDS Sustainable Transformation of Institutional Research Rigor (STIRR) Initiative
    
            Rigor IconsRigor and Transparency Resources

Did you find the content you were looking for?
  Yes, I did find the content I was looking for



No, I did not find the content I was looking forPlease rate how easy it was to navigate the NINDS website
  Very easy to navigate



Easy to navigate



Neutral



Difficult to navigate



Very difficult to navigateThank you for letting us know! Any other feedback?Submit

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policyand Terms of Serviceapply.

      Last reviewed on February 09, 2024
        Contact Us
  

        
              Contact NINDS
                Visitor Information
        Related Sites
  

        
              Site Map
                National Institutes of Health
                Department of Health & Human Services
                USA.gov
        Policies
  

        
              Accessibility
                Freedom of Information Act
                Linking Policy
                Privacy Statement
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
Follow NINDS On Social Media
          
          National Institutes of Health (NIH)
          9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892