Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a severe subtype of migraine with hemiparesis during attacks. We scanned 10 families with FHM without mutations in the CACNA1A (FHM1) and ATP1A2 (FHM2) genes. We identified the novel p.L1649Q mutation (c.4946T>A) in Na_v1.1 sodium channel gene SCN1A (FHM3) in a North American kindred with FHM without associated ataxia or epilepsy. Functional analysis of the mutation, introduced in the highly homologous human SCN5A, revealed markedly slowed inactivation and a two‐fold faster recovery from fast inactivation predicting enhanced neuronal excitation. Our findings establish the role of neuronal Na_v1.1 sodium channels in FHM and reinforce the involvement of ion channel dysfunction in the pathogenesis of this episodic brain disorder. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.