[14] Brain sodium channel alpha subunits form a gene subfamily with several structurally distinct isoforms clustering on chromosome 2q24, types I, II (Nav1.2), and III (Nav1.3).

[9] Subtle differences in voltage-gated sodium ion channels can have devastating physiological effects and underlie abnormal neurological functioning.

[24][25] Mice with knock-in SCN1A mutations, who are model organisms for DS quickly develop seizures, indicative of a significant reduction in the function of NaV1.1.

[10] It has been hypothesized that reduced sodium currents due to NaV1.1 mutations may cause hypoexcitability in GABAergic inhibitory interneurons leading to epilepsy.

[27][28][29][30] On 29 November 2008, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the first evidence of private intellectual property rights over human DNA[31] having adversely affected medical care.