The cause of Dravet syndrome is considered as genetic. For most of these patients (about 80%), the cause is a mutation in a gene called SCN1A. A mutation in this gene can lead to an abnormal “electrical” brain activity which may trigger seizures.
A small number of patients do not carry a SCN1A mutation. For them, some other mutated genes have already been identified. As for patients who do not carry any of the previously mentioned genes, research is ongoing.