Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological conditions worldwide, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the main cause of epilepsy-related death. Although the exact pathophysiological causes of SUDEP are still unknown, potential risk factors include young age of epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, frequently recurrent seizures, winter temperatures and cardiac abnormalities such as arrhythmias during and between seizures. Unfortunately available pharmacological treatment for epilepsy remains limited in seizure control and consequently in SUDEP control, so alternative treatment should be considered in patients with refractory epilepsy. This article will revisit the possible related causes and preventative actions for SUDEP.

“Saved by the Bell”: Near SUDEP during intracranial EEG monitoring

“…The mechanism of apnea in our patient remains unclear. Several brain regions, including the cingulate gyrus, amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamic nuclei, have been associated with ventilation and cardiac dysfunction and hypothesized to precipitate SUDEP . Our patient's MRI lesion and ictal onset zones were over the left Rolandic region, suspected to be involving the depth of the left central sulcus, but away from the above‐mentioned areas, which were not sampled by subdural or depth electrodes.…”