International Dravet Epilepsy Action League

The International Dravet Epilepsy Action League (IDEA League) is an American non-profit organization that has created an international partnership of parents and professionals with the purpose of creating greater awareness and understanding of Dravet syndrome and the spectrum of related genetic forms of epilepsy. The IDEA League is a nonprofit organization that was founded by parents of children with Dravet syndrome in October 2005. The National Institutes of Health direct individuals seeking information on Dravet Syndrome to the IDEA League.[1] The IDEA League represents Dravet Syndrome and is a member of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).[2]

International Dravet Epilepsy Action League
Type of businessNonprofit
HeadquartersDeale, Maryland
URLIDEA League website

History

The IDEA League was founded in October 2005 by parents of children with Dravet syndrome as an international partnership of parents and professionals united in the purpose of creating greater awareness and understanding of Dravet syndrome and the spectrum of related genetic forms of epilepsy. The organization was incorporated in the state of Minnesota, USA, in February 2006; and designated a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity by the US Internal Revenue Service in November 2006.

Research grants

The IDEA League awards a yearly grant to researchers studying topics related to Dravet Syndrome and therapies for the condition. The 2010 Research Award went to Dr. Jing-Qiong (Katty) Kang from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.[3]

Funds of Hope

Families affected by Dravet Syndrome may set up and raise funds for a research grant named in the honor of their loved one. The named research funds are set up as $30,000, two-year awards. To date, the Haley Smith Research Fund, Derek Rudawsky Research Fund, and Ryan Smith Research Fund have been established. One hundred percent of the money raised for these funds will go directly to research and will contribute to the better understanding and treatment of Dravet syndrome.

The Second Annual Derek’s Dash, which benefited the Derek Rudawsky Research Fund, took place on August 29, 2010 at Village Greens Park in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The event included a 5K walk/run and silent auction.[4] The event raised $30,000[5] and is the first Funds of Hope research grant to reach the $30,000 mark to launch a study.

Medical Advisory Board

The IDEA League has brought together leading researchers from across the world to sit on their medical advisory board. All proposed research grants are reviewed by the advisory board and the board selects the projects to be awarded grants.

Medical Advisory Board members:[6]

  • Charlotte Dravet, MD; Retired Pediatric Neurologist; Marseille, France
  • Michelle Bureau, MD; Centre Saint Paul, Hospital Henri Gastaut; Marsaille, France
  • Carol Camfield, MD; Dalhousie University; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Peter Camfield, MD; Dalhousie University; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Catherine Chiron, MD, PhD; French Institute for Medical Research (INSERM); Paris, France
  • Helen Cross, MBChB, PhD, FRCP, FRCPCH; UCL - Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Trust; London, England, UK
  • Bernardo Dalla Bernardina, MD; University of Verona; Verona, Italy
  • Renzo Guerrini, MD; University of Florence; Florence, Italy
  • Elaine Hughes, MBBS; Evelina Children’s Hospital, King’s College Hospital; London, England, UK
  • Linda Laux, MD; Children’s Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University’s Feingold School of Medicine; Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Rima Nabbout, MD, PhD; Hospital Saint Vincent de Paul, French Institute for Medical Research (INSERM); Paris, France
  • Hirokazu Oguni, MD; Tokyo Women’s Medical University; Tokyo, Japan
  • Ingrid Scheffer, MBBS, PhD; University of Melbourne, Austin Health Epilepsy Research Centre; West Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
  • Beverly Wical, MD; Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare; University of Minnesota Medical School; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
  • Sameer Zuberi, MRCP, MBChB, MRCPCH; Royal Hospital for Sick Children; Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Collaborative Clinical Research and Comprehensive Care Network

In December 2008, the IDEA League established its Collaborative Clinical Research and Comprehensive Care Network (CCR-CCN). The purpose of the CCR-CCN is to bring together a network of referral centers committed to providing multidisciplinary care to patients with Dravet syndrome and related disorders. Each participating epilepsy center endeavors to proactively address and treat the medical and non-medical needs of the patient in a coordinated and evidence-based manner. Centers will be collaborating to develop a standard of care for treating Dravet syndrome and to establish clinical research protocols. The IDEA League serves as a patient referral source and will sponsor educational activities for health care workers and families. In addition, the League helps coordinate communication and information sharing among centers and will be maintaining a Dravet syndrome patient registry.

CCR-CCN clinics are committed to providing physician-guided, patient-centered comprehensive care. They recognize that Dravet syndrome affects the whole child and that the most important members of the team are the patient and parents. CCR-CCN clinics will be building teams of caregivers, including a qualified epileptologist, nurse practitioner, social worker and parent liaison. Clinics will include an epilepsy monitoring unit and a ketogenic diet program.[7]

CCR-CCN Member Centers

Regional Affiliates

The IDEA League is fostering the establishment of affiliate organizations in countries around the world. This process began with the creation of the IDEA League UK in 2008 and the IDEA League France in 2009. Affiliates in Canada, Italy, and the region of the northern Balkan states (former Yugoslavia) are currently in development.[9][10][11] In June 2010 the Netherlands affiliate of the IDEA League was established.[12]

See also

References
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  12. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-09-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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