New brain scans aim to uncover why dravet patients face higher sudden death risk

This study uses PET and MRI scans to look at serotonin pathways in the brainstem of adults with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. Researchers want to see if these pathways are different in Dravet patients compared to those with other drug-resistant epilepsy and healthy people. The goal is to better understand why Dravet syndrome carries a high risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The study involves 30 participants: 10 with Dravet syndrome, 10 with focal epilepsy, and 10 healthy volunteers.