DSF Funded Research

William Nobis, MD, PhD – Vanderbilt UniversityEffect of odorant on mortality and extended amygdala activation in Dravet syndromeResearch Grant – 2 years, $165,000**Co-funded with JAM for Dravet Grant Summary: Dravet syndrome (DS) is associated with a high epilepsy-related mortality, including an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Controlling seizures can decrease the risk of SUDEP, […]

Ashwini Sri Hari, PhD – University of UtahEvaluating the effects of sub-chronic exposure to sub-clinical levels of CO on Dravet etiology and associated SUDEP riskPostdoctoral Fellowship – 1 year, $75,000 Grant Summary: Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the top most deadly air pollutants that is positively associated with an increased risk of epilepsy hospitalizations and sub-clinical

David Auerbach, PhD – The Research Foundation for SUNY/Upstate Medical UniversityGenetic Substrates and Physiological Triggers for Autonomic and Cardiac Abnormalities in Dravet SyndromeClinical Research Grant – 2 years, $150,000**Co-funded with JAM for Dravet Grant Summary: Patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) are at a high risk of sudden death. The cause of death is often unknown, and is

Elaine C. Wirrell, MD – Mayo ClinicDSF Research Award – $75,000 (1 year project)Dravet Syndrome International Consensus Project (funding provide through unrestricted grants from Biocodex, Greenwich Biosciences, and Zogenix) A core group of pediatric and adult epilepsy specialists, with input from DSF, has identified important clinical issues relating to the diagnosis and management of patients with

Wenxi Yu, PhD – University of Michigan $50,000 ONE YEAR POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP Co-funded with JAM for Dravet Mutations in the sodium channel genes SCN1A and SCN8A are a significant cause of Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs), severe seizure disorders. We demonstrated that reduced expression of Scn8a using a specific ASO can prevent the onset of seizures

Simona Balestrini, MD, PhD – UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Sanjay Sisodiya, PhD, FRCP – UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology  $150,000 TWO YEAR CLINICAL RESEARCH AWARD Dravet syndrome (DS) is caused by a genetic change that leads to severe epilepsy with difficult-to-treat seizures, cognitive impairment, other neurological and physical symptoms, and heightened risk

Liu Lin Thio, MD, PhD – Washington University in St. Louis Joel R. Garbow, PhD – Washington University in St. Louis $150,000 TWO YEAR RESEARCH AWARD Co-funded with JAM for Dravet Children with Dravet syndrome have drug-resistant epilepsy characterized by different seizure types along with developmental regression and intellectual impairment. Dravet syndrome is genetic with

Jacy Wagnon, PhD – The Ohio State University College of Medicine $150,000 TWO YEAR RESEARCH AWARD Many individuals with Dravet syndrome (DS) do not achieve adequate seizure control using available drug treatments. These drugs also do not sufficiently treat other symptoms of DS, including behavioral and cognitive impairments. We analyzed gene expression in a mouse