Videos

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An expert discusses how proactive cardiac care should begin at diagnosis with regular monitoring, while pulmonary function typically peaks around age 8 to 10 before declining, requiring early intervention with breathing exercises and assistive devices before problems become severe.

2 experts are featured in this series.

Panelists discuss how promising disease-modifying therapies including antisense oligonucleotide and viral vector treatments are currently in clinical trials and target the underlying SCN1A gene defect, rather than just treating seizure symptoms, showing encouraging results in seizure reduction and nonseizure outcomes such as language development, though these therapies will likely complement rather than replace existing medications when they become available in several years.

2 experts are featured in this series.

Panelists discuss how despite newer medications such as cannabidiol, stiripentol, and fenfluramine being available for several years and recommended as first-line therapies, claims data reveals that only 7% to 25% of patients with newly diagnosed Dravet syndrome receive these treatments, with many clinicians still defaulting to older, less effective medications due to lack of practical guidance on dosing and titration protocols for the newer therapies.

1 expert in this video

An expert discusses how treatment for the 13-year-old patient should optimize standard care with cardiac and pulmonary monitoring while considering newer therapies like givinostat and casimersen, plus exploring research trials for gene transfer and muscle health approaches.

2 experts in this video

Panelists discuss how solriamfetol distinguishes itself from existing wake-promoting medications through its dual dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, with patients reporting they "feel better" on it beyond just improved wakefulness, while emphasizing careful dose titration to minimize adverse effects like anxiety and cardiovascular changes.

2 experts are featured in this series.

Panelists discuss how newer medications such as stiripentol have become preferred over traditional options such as valproate for younger patients, emphasizing the importance of assessing treatment effectiveness within 6 to 8 weeks rather than accepting "pretty good" seizure control, and encouraging frequent communication with families to optimize therapy and pursue meaningful seizure reduction rather than settling for partial improvements.

2 experts are featured in this series.

Panelists discuss how treatment selection for Dravet syndrome requires individualized approaches based on seizure types and patient characteristics, emphasizing the importance of striving for seizure freedom, avoiding contraindicated sodium channel medications, utilizing synergistic drug combinations when appropriate, and simplifying medication regimens to twice-daily dosing with clear timing cues to improve family adherence to complex treatment plans.