USF-LVHN SELECT

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: A Narrative Review of Mechanism, Risks, and Prevention.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-10-2025

Abstract

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, nontraumatic, non-drowning death that occurs in a person with epilepsy. SUDEP is the leading cause of epilepsy-related death in adults with epilepsy, with an incidence of about 1.2 per 1000 person-years in the general epilepsy population. Recent studies have shown similar prevalence in the pediatric population too. Although the precise mechanism remains unclear, well-documented cases of SUDEP suggest that a generalized tonic clonic seizure-induced, centrally mediated change in cardiorespiratory function leads to terminal apnea and cardiac arrest. Risk factors include generalized tonic clonic seizure frequency, duration of epilepsy, nocturnal seizure, and certain genetic syndromes. Orexin, adenosine, and serotonin neurotransmission have been explored as novel drug targets to mitigate SUDEP risk. Neurostimulation and resective epilepsy surgery have been reported to have beneficial effects on long-term SUDEP risk as well. Future studies may aim to clarify the role of sleep and other comorbidities in SUDEP pathophysiology.

Volume

14

Issue

10

ISSN

2077-0383

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

40429323

Department(s)

USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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