A splice modulating oligonucleotide (SMO), is provided having a sequence designed to modulate the splicing of a SCN8A pre-mRNA, wherein the SMO sequence specifically binds to a sequence in the SCN8A pre-mRNA. Certain embodiments of the invention provide methods of using the SMOs described herein, including methods of treating or preventing epilepsy or a Dravet Spectrum disorder in subject (e.g., a mammal, e.g., a human), including the administration of an SMO or composition described herein to the subject. A method of using the SMOs is described herein to treat spinal cord injury, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, autism, hemiplegic migraine, multiple sclerosis, CNS infections, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, or other neurological diseases or disorders in which excitotoxicity or hyperexcitability contributes to the pathology.
