Dravet Syndrome UK signs open letter to the Government calling for urgent investment into neurological research

This Brain Awareness Week (10-16 March), Dravet Syndrome UK, together with the national Neurological Alliances of England, Scotland and Wales, are working together to raise awareness of the critical need for more research on neurological conditions and calling on the UK Government to #InvestInNeuroResearch.

Despite at least 1 in 6 people living with a neurological condition, there is severely limited research on these life altering conditions, with figures showing that neurological research received just 8.9% of the UK’s total health research expenditure in 2022.

As a rare neurological condition, Dravet Syndrome impacts those living with the condition and their families in many ways. As well as severe, difficult-to-control seizures, children and adults living with Dravet Syndrome have varying degrees of intellectual disability and a spectrum of associated conditions, known as ‘comorbidities’. These can include: autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), challenging behaviour and difficulties with speech, mobility, eating and sleep.

Intent on seeing tangible change for all those living with Dravet Syndrome and various other neurological conditions in the UK, the Neurological Alliances have sent an open letter to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP.Endorsed by 76 member organisations, including Dravet Syndrome UK, the letter is calling for greater investment into research on neurological conditions alongside the Government’s current plans for research expansion, within which neurological conditions should be a priority.

To read the full letter.