Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy - An Overview of Current Understanding and Future Perspectives
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is likely to be the most common cause of disease-related mortality in people with epilepsy. The most commonly encountered scenario is that a previously healthy person is found dead in bed by family. Patients with frequent generalised tonic-clonic seizures are at highest risk but SUDEP can occur in patients who have never had convulsions. The mechanisms of SUDEP are poorly understood but seem to be related to seizure-related cardiac, respiratory or cerebral dysfunction. Seizure control is the only clear strategy to prevent SUDEP but that is not possible in the 30 % of patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Understanding the pathophysiology of SUDEP may lead to prevention strategies for patients who continue to have seizures despite maximal therapy.
Source: European Neurological Review
Authors: Daniel Friedman, Lawrence J Hirsch
Institutions: NYU Langone Health, Yale University, New York University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2338388099