Summary
Dravet syndrome (DS) is an epileptic encephalopathy caused by pathogenic variants in the SCN1A gene resulting in medically refractory epilepsy and psychomotor delays. As a pilot study assessing for feasibility, the investigators aim to test whether alterations in cortical excitatory:inhibitory ratio can be reliably recorded. The investigators will utilize transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) metrics of cortical excitatory and inhibitory tone as an initial step towards translating findings from rodent genetic models of DS into disease-specific biomarkers and offer future measures of therapeutic target engagement in this patient population. Participants will complete two visits, each consisting of a TMS session and an EEG session. Visits will be scheduled 4-8 weeks apart.
Conditions
Dravet Syndrome
Recruitment Status
Unknown status
Detailed Description
This is a single site study to be conducted at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) investigating the neurophysiological biomarkers of epilepsy and developmental disability in children and young adults with Dravet Syndrome. Mechanistically, the features of the DS phenotype are attributable to a loss of cortical inhibition. TMS is a non-invasive form of focal cortical stimulation in which an external powerful magnet induces an electrical field intracranially over the stimulated region that is used to interrogate or modulate states of cortical excitation or inhibition. Accordingly, the investigators propose to test whether metrics of cortical excitability and inhibition can be obtained by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and EEG in patients with DS.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Age: 6 months - 30 years
Ability to obtain informed consent with the participant or legally authorized representative
DS confirmed by pathogenic variant in SCN1A gene
Medical history consistent with clinical phenotype of DS
Exclusion Criteria:
Comorbid conditions such as a second genetic diagnosis which may confound interpretation.
Current or planned participation in a clinical drug or device trial.
Previous participation in a gene therapy or gene editing trial
Allergy to adhesives used for surface EMG electrodes
Contraindications to TMS (e.g. implanted devices for which there is no TMS safety data)
Intervention
Intervention Type
Intervention Name
Device
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Device
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Gender
All
Min Age
6 Months
Max Age
30 Years
Download Date
March 22, 2022
Principal Investigator
Alexander Rotenberg
Primary Contact Information
Melissa Tsuboyama, MD
For more information on this trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Contact
For more information and to contact the study team: