February 3, 2021

Study Shows Genetic Testing Program Lowered Age of Molecular Diagnosis in Children

Summary, originally published in Dravet Syndrome News

By implementing a free-of-charge epilepsy genetic testing program, it is possible to lower the average age of molecular diagnosis of children with epileptic disorders caused by mutations in the SCN1A gene, such as Dravet syndrome, from more than 6 to less than 2 years of age.

The study with that finding, “Reducing the Time to Diagnosis and Increasing the Detection of Individuals With SCN1A-Related Disease Through a No Cost, Sponsored Epilepsy Genetic Testing Program,” was presented during the American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.

Genetic mutations in the SCN1A gene have been associated with a wide spectrum of epileptic disorders, including Dravet syndrome, generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), and early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE).

According to a previous study, from 2011 to 2015, the average age of molecular diagnosis of patients with forms of epilepsy associated with SCN1A mutations was 6.2 years.

“As precision medicine therapies emerge, it is becoming increasingly important to diagnose SCN1A-related disorders before disease progression,” the researchers wrote.

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