CDC Will Fund Pediatric Epilepsy Research Study

Researchers will use a $1.6 million grant to improve pediatric epilepsy prevalence estimates by 2028.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Allergies

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a glass laboratory pipette and vials, representing clinical research. — The CDC has awarded a $1.6 million grant to Weill Cornell University to improve national pediatric epilepsy prevalence estimates using artificial intelligence by 2028. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Starting September 30, 2026, a four-year grant from the CDC will support a new study to re-evaluate how many children in the U.S. live with active epilepsy. The project will utilize artificial intelligence to analyze health records and provide more accurate data than existing estimates.

Why it matters

Current pediatric epilepsy estimates rely on outdated information that fails to account for recent discoveries of over 1,000 genes associated with the condition. This research will update clinical understanding by synthesizing eight different information sources.

The study will utilize eight data sources, including Medicaid records and electronic health records, to refine the current estimate of six in every 1,000 children. Researchers aim to integrate genetic findings into a field previously constrained by legacy data.

The players

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the national public health agency of the United States.

Weill Cornell University

This is a medical research institution that will serve as the lead for the epilepsy study.

The details

The project, titled the Collaboration to Estimate the Pediatric Incidence of Epilepsy, will be led by Weill Cornell University. Scientists plan to use artificial intelligence and large language models to scan physician notes and identify specific keywords within healthcare charts.

In 2022, the CDC estimated 456,000 U.S. children had active epilepsy.
The four-year research grant begins on September 30, 2026.
Researchers plan to release initial study estimates in the fall of 2028.

Health Landscape

This project reflects a broader shift toward integrating artificial intelligence into public health surveillance programs. By modernizing how data is synthesized, the study moves beyond legacy methods to better capture the prevalence of chronic childhood conditions.

Families may eventually see more precise diagnostic guidelines and improved public health support for children with epilepsy. This research aims to provide clearer data that could shape future healthcare resource allocation across the country.

The takeaway

Advancements in artificial intelligence are allowing researchers to parse vast amounts of healthcare records more efficiently than ever before. This study highlights the importance of updating public health data to keep pace with modern genetic discoveries.