Research
Neuronal networks, diversity, and specificity of function are important to both physiological processes and neurological disorders, including epilepsy and essential tremor. The K-M lab seeks to improve our understanding of how cells interact within a network, how networks interact with each other, and the physiological roles of neuronal populations. In this regard, key questions remain in epilepsy research, including what are the principal networks, conditions, and cell types involved in initiating, sustaining, propagating, terminating, and potentially suppressing, seizures. By improving our understanding of these, we improve the prospects of someday reaching the goal of no seizures, no side effects, for all epilepsy patients. Similarly, basic questions regarding the development and expression of essential tremor remain.
The K-M lab uses rodent models of neurological disorders, including temporal lobe epilepsy and essential tremor, and techniques including electrophysiology, optogenetics, immunocytochemistry, transgenic animals, and behavioral experiments to address these fundamental questions.
Check out the Publications tab to learn more.
Funding Sources
Current
National Institute of Health, R21-NS135784 . Co-PI: Dr. Kannan
"Multipopulation voltage imaging for network insights in temporal lobe epilepsy"
09/18/2023 -- 08/31/2025
National Institute of Health, R01-NS112518
"Hippobellum: Cerebellar influence on the hippocampus and temporal lobe seizures"
03/01/2020 – 11/30/2024
University of Minnesota’s MnDRIVE (Minnesota’s Discovery, Research and Innovation Economy) Initiative
University of Minnesota McKnight Presidential Fellow
2021 -2024
Past
National Institute of Health, NINDS, R01-NS104071
12/01/2017-11/30/2022University of Minnesota's Academic Investment Research Program (AIRP)
Center for Cerebellar Network Structure/Function in Health and DiseaseUniversity of Minnesota’s Center for Neural Circuits in Addiction pilot funding , Co-Investigator (PI: Patrick Rothwell)
National Institute of Health, R01-MH111413 , Co-Investigator (PI: Wei Chen)
07/01/2016 – 06/30/2021University of Minnesota McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
7/1/2018 – 6/30/2020National Institute of Health, R03-NS098015
07/01/2016 – 06/30/2018National Institute of Health, NINDS, R00-NS087110
05/1/2015 - 04/30/2018Winston and Maxine Wallin Neuroscience Discovery Fund Award
"Refocusing : Targeting the Cerebellum for Temporal Lobe Epilepsy"
01/01/2018 - 12/31/2018Institute for Engineering in Medicine (IEM) Seed Grant
01/12/2017– 01/11/2018Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), Taking Flight Award
"On-demand restoration of the dentate gate for temporal lobe epilepsy"
01/01/2014 - 12/31/2014National Institute of Health, NINDS, K99 NS087110
"On-demand optogenetic cerebellar intervention for temporal lobe epilepsy"
09/01/2014 - 12/15/2015International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF)
07/01/2016 - 06/30/2017