Thursday, March 12, 2026 3/12/2026

Defining Novel Mechanisms of Sudden Death in Dravet Syndrome: Dysregulation of Sodium Channels in the Heart

Award Number: R01NS121234
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

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Defining Novel Mechanisms of Sudden Death in Dravet Syndrome: Dysregulation of Sodium Channels in the Heart - Project Summary Sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a fatal complication, occurring in patients with epilepsy, who were otherwise healthy. Dravet syndrome (DS), which results from a loss of function of the sodium channel (NaV) isoform NaV1.1, is associated with a particularly high risk of SUDEP. Notably, the unexpected mortality of SUDEP mirrors cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) – unexpected death resulting from cardiac arrhythmias. Emerging evidence points to physiological commonalities between the brain and the heart, suggesting that the very molecular mechanisms that underlie epileptic disorders could also directly impact the heart, leading to life- threatening cardiac arrhythmias and thereby, SCD. However, the precise mechanisms by which DS directly impact the heart to promote cardiac arrhythmias and SCD remain unknown. Thus, we propose to utilize models of DS to address this gap in knowledge and to explore the role of direct cardiac remodeling in SCD. Using these models, we will test the hypothesis that defects in NaVs that underlie inherited epileptic disorders, such as Dravet syndrome, dysregulate cardiac Na+/Ca2+ cycling, thereby promoting life-threatening arrhythmias and contributing to SCD. Thus, we propose to: 1) Define the phenotypic and structural impacts of tissue-specific expression of DS-associated defects. 2) Determine the functional impact of DS-associated Na+/Ca2+ signaling nanodomain remodeling on cardiac Ca2+ handling. 3) Assess efficacy of targeting Na+/Ca2+ signaling nanodomains for SCD prevention. Information gleaned from these studies will be used to develop new therapeutic approaches to treat SCD in DS.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $382,283 )
2026	2026	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	1/30/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$382,283
														Subtotal = $382,283

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $382,283 )
2025	2025	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	4	11/15/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$382,283
														Subtotal = $382,283

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $412,015 )
2024	2024	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	11/9/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$382,283
2024	2024	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	3	4/15/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$29,732
2024	2024	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	3	11/16/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $412,015

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $424,758 )
2023	2023	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	11/25/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$382,283
2023	2023	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	2	3/31/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$42,475
														Subtotal = $424,758

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $424,758 )
2022	2022	OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	1960 KENNY RD	COLUMBUS	OH	43210	FRANKLIN	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	11/18/2021	NEW	$424,758
														Subtotal = $424,758

Grand Total All Awards = $2,026,097

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Defining Novel Mechanisms of Sudden Death in Dravet Syndrome: Dysregulation of Sodium Channels in the Heart

Award Number: R01NS121234

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

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