Understanding autonomic dysfunction in Dravet Syndrome

Lead researcher: Dr Lisa Clayton

Partners: Epilepsy Research Institute

Start date: 2024  

As part of the Epilepsy Research Institute’s 2024 Research Awards, Dravet Syndrome UK co-funded two Fellowship projects with the Epilepsy Research Institute to develop future leaders investigating Dravet Syndrome and epilepsy. One of these Fellowships has been awarded to Dr Lisa Clayton - with the aim of better understanding autonomic dysfunction in Dravet Syndrome.

Dr Lisa Clayton’s project explores a poorly understood yet potentially significant aspect of Dravet Syndrome, known as dysautonomia. While Dravet Syndrome is a lifetime condition with multiple debilitating comorbidities, clinical research has often focused on seizures during childhood. Dysautonomia is a comorbidity that affects bodily regulation of internal organs and processes such as heart rate, body temperature, and digestion. Centering on young people and adults with Dravet Syndrome, this study will help develop effective methods for screening for dysautonomia, predict who may develop it, and importantly try and find ways to prevent, limit, or alleviate problems related to dysautonomia. 

This study will help develop effective methods for screening for dysautonomia in people with Dravet Syndrome, predict who may develop it, and importantly try and find ways to prevent, limit, or alleviate problems related to dysautonomia.

You can read more about this research here.