News

A novel gene therapy developed by a team of scientists was able to reduce seizures, improve cognitive scores, and extend survival in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, a new study reports. The therapy showed beneficial effects even when administered after the animals had already begun experiencing seizures. “The…

Researchers have created a new rat model of Dravet syndrome that captures early features of the disease that may make it more suitable for long-term studies than other models. The study, “A novel rat model of Dravet syndrome recapitulates clinical hallmarks,” was published in Neurobiology of…

Epidyolex may be safe and effective for people with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) without accompanying use of clobazam (brand names Onfi and Sympazan), according to a recent European analysis. While the oral cannabidiol solution is cleared for use without clobazam in the U.S. — where it…

The safety and effectiveness of Valtoco, a diazepam nasal spray approved in the U.S. for use as an intermittent rescue therapy for people with epilepsy, was not compromised among patients also using cannabidiol (CBD) as part of their daily treatment regimen. These findings come from a new analysis of data…

Neurofeedback training — a way of training the brain to normalize its electrical signaling patterns — led to seizure reductions and sleep improvements for a young girl with Dravet syndrome. That’s according to a new case study, which was the first to report the use of this approach —…

Diacomit (stiripentol) was safe and clinically effective at reducing seizures when given to infants with Dravet syndrome, ages 2 or younger, according to a 30-year real world study. It also reduced emergency hospitalizations due to long-lasting seizures. “This 30-year, real-world experience shows that initiating stiripentol before the age of…

June is Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month, and the community is coming together to share stories, build support, and increase knowledge about this rare form of childhood epilepsy. The Dravet Syndrome Foundation (DSF) is heading up several initiatives over the course of the month, with this year’s theme being…

Up to 1 in 4 people with hard-to-treat epilepsy, including those with Dravet syndrome, were found to stop taking Epidiolex (cannabidiol) shortly after starting treatment, primarily due to side effects or a lack of efficacy, according to a real-world study. “Epidiolex is generally well-tolerated and the majority continued…

Most caregivers of people with Dravet syndrome report poor sleep quality, according to a study in Germany. Reduced sleep quality was linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and burden, and more health conditions in patients, including moderate sleep disturbances. The impact on sleep for caregivers was substantial even…

Adding Fintepla (fenfluramine) to anti-seizure treatment is associated with a more than five times higher chance of having a 50% decline in the frequency of Dravet syndrome-related seizures, a review of clinical trial data shows, Decreased appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss were among the noncardiovascular side effects…