Research

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the landscape of neurological research, and the Reddy Lab is at the forefront of applying these tools to the treatment of epilepsy and chronic brain disorders. Through an interdisciplinary approach that bridges pharmacology, biomedical engineering, and machine learning, the lab is developing AI-driven smart therapies capable of identifying patterns in brain activity, predicting seizure onset, and informing more precise and personalized treatment strategies. This work, conducted in collaboration with the Texas A&M Department of Biomedical Engineering, represents a significant step toward a future where therapy is not simply reactive but anticipatory, adapting in real time to the needs of each individual patient.

Neurosteroids are naturally occurring compounds synthesized within the brain that play a critical role in regulating neural excitability. The Reddy Lab has spent decades conducting pioneering investigations into how these compounds interact with GABA-A receptors, the brain’s primary inhibitory signaling pathway, to control seizure activity. This foundational work gave rise to the concept of neurosteroid replacement therapy (NRT), a strategy of administering natural or synthetic neurosteroids during periods of deficiency to suppress seizures and stabilize brain activity. The lab’s contributions in this area directly informed the development of ganaxolone (Ztalmy), the first neurosteroid approved by the FDA for the treatment of epilepsy, and have established neurosteroids as one of the most promising frontiers in modern anticonvulsant research.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained widespread public attention, but its clinical potential in epilepsy is grounded in rigorous science. Research from the Reddy Lab has been instrumental in uncovering the antiseizure and disease-modifying properties of CBD, contributing to a growing body of evidence that cannabinoids may do more than manage symptoms. This work helped pave the way for the 2018 FDA approval of Epidiolex, the first CBD-based medication approved for pediatric epilepsies, marking a landmark moment in both cannabinoid research and epilepsy treatment. The lab’s continued investigation into CBD’s mechanisms of action positions it as a meaningful tool not just for controlling seizures, but for potentially altering the course of epilepsy itself.

Postpartum depression affects nearly one in eight women in the United States, yet effective, targeted treatments have historically been limited. The Reddy Lab has conducted pioneering research into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying postpartum depression, with a particular focus on neurosteroids as key modulators of mood and neural excitability during and after pregnancy. This work has had a direct and measurable impact on clinical care, contributing to the development of brexanolone (Zulresso), the first FDA-approved treatment specifically indicated for postpartum depression, and laying the scientific foundation for zuranolone, the first oral neurosteroid approved for the condition. Both therapies are now used worldwide, representing a significant advance in the understanding and treatment of women’s neurological and mental health.