Published Articles

epilepsyUSA: Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)

Rare but Deadly

By Andrew N. Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN

While we know that people with epilepsy are at increased risk of death due to accidents from seizures such as drowning and other causes such as status epilepticus, SUDEP is different. Researchers define SUDEP as “sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, nontraumatic and nondrowning deaths in patients with epilepsy, with or without evidence of a seizure and excluding documented status epilepticus, in which postmortem examination does not reveal a toxicologic or anatomic cause of death” (Nashef et al. 2007). A sudden dysfunction of the heart or lungs seems to be responsible, but we do not know what causes the dysfunction. »Read More

What Coroners and Medical Examiners Aren't Saying

Traditionally a controversial topic discussed primarily by the neurological community, sudden unexplained death in epilepsy is now emerging more frequently in research literature, adding weight and validity to this once questionable entity. The forensic science field has quite a way to go, however, before it both recognizes and utilizes SUDEP as a final post mortem diagnosis in cases where it is appropriate. »Read More

Epilepsy and sudden death: Personal reflections and call for global action (Epilepsy and Behavior Article, Copyright 2009, Elsevier)

To solve the mystery of sudden unexpected death in persons with epilepsy (SUDEP), a global focus is needed to identify persons at risk, develop treatment regimens, and prevent its occurrence. A world wide network of professionals must focus on basic scientific research programs and clinical and epidemiology studies. Team work among different multidisciplinary professionals in clinical settings and within and among laboratories should address the global issues of SUDEP. »Read More