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Avata Biosciences is gearing up for a Phase 3 clinical trial to test SAP-021, the company’s oral capsule formulation of cannabidiol — commonly abbreviated as CBD — that’s being developed as an alternative to Epidiolex, an oil-based cannabidiol solution that’s approved to reduce seizure frequency in people with…

Among recent treatments to reduce the risk of seizures in people with Dravet syndrome, Fintepla (fenfluramine) appears to be the most potent, according to a new analysis. “In [Dravet syndrome], [Fintepla] provided significantly greater efficacy compared with other [anti-seizure medications], and it was generally well tolerated,” researchers wrote…

New treatment approaches, such as gene therapies, that aim to restore the activity of SCN1A, the gene often defective in Dravet syndrome patients, must remain active throughout adulthood to adequately maintain brain function, a lab study suggests. Using a Dravet mouse model, the work showed that activating a…

The severity of seizures was reduced among Dravet syndrome patients in the U.K. over 10 years, but developmental outcomes worsened, a recent analysis shows. Children younger than age 6 generally tended to see a worse trajectory during that period than older patients, including having a higher burden of coexisting…

Avicanna has launched a new version of its proprietary oral cannabidiol (CBD) formulation, called RHO Phyto Micro Drop 10, in Canada. The new product will be available to certain Canadian patients, including individuals with seizures, who have medical authorization through a medical cannabis care platform, according to a…

Treatment with the investigational therapy STK-001 led to significant reductions in seizure frequency and clinically meaningful improvements in cognition and behavior for children and adolescents with Dravet syndrome, according to data from Phase 1/2 studies and their open-label extensions (OLEs). Developer Stoke Therapeutics said that the findings…

Recurrent seizures in a man with Dravet syndrome and high body temperature were managed by treating the recurrent infections and switching from Zonegran (zonisamide) to Fycompa (perampanel), a case study reports. The researchers recommended that clinicians consider treating infections early and discontinuing Zonegra if the medication causes…

Fycompa (perampanel) was found to safely reduce seizure frequency among patients with genetic forms of epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome, in a recent analysis of real-world treatment data. Findings from the analysis of pooled clinical practice data showed treatment responses among these genetic epilepsy patients were at least as…

Levodopa, the standard treatment for motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, improved walking abilities in people with Dravet syndrome, according to a small clinical trial. Most walking gains occurred in younger patients with better walking abilities before levodopa treatment. “Our findings suggest that levodopa treatment may be…

A molecule designed to enhance activity at certain GABA-A receptor proteins in the brain protected against seizures and eased anxiety in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, recent research showed. At higher doses, the medication led to sedative side effects, which scientists believe can be avoided by making sure…