Pediatric Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: What Have we Learned from Animal and Human Studies, and Can we Prevent it?

Several factors, such as epilepsy syndrome, poor compliance, and increased seizure frequency increase the risks of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Animal models have revealed that the mechanisms of SUDEP involve initially a primary event, often a seizure of sufficient type and severity, that occurs in a brain, which is vulnerable to SUDEP due to either genetic or antecedent factors. This primary event initiates a cascade of secondary events starting, as some models indicate, with cortical spreading depolarization that propagates to the brainstem where it results in autonomic dysfunction.

Source: Seminars in Pediatric Neurology - May 23, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Rebecca L. Holt, Eric Arehart, Arsen Hunanyan, Nina A. Fainberg, Mohamad A. Mikati Source Type: research