cGAS-mediated type I IFN signaling contributes to disease progression in drug-refractory epilepsy

Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 29 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02384-z

Huang et al. found that stressed neurons release DNA that activates the immune sensor cGAS, driving inflammatory responses that worsen seizures and mortality in Dravet syndrome. Blocking cGAS interrupts this pathogenic immune cascade, reducing inflammation, seizures and death risk.