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SUDEP

·October 3, 2023·5 min read

Amygdala’s Role in Epilepsy Sudden Death

The study elucidates how seizures originating in specific amygdala subregions might suppress both breathing and the crucial alarm signal of "air hunger," potentially through novel connections to the brainstem, which regulates responses to blood CO2 alterations. With a sharper focus on these amygdala-brainstem links, researchers forge a vital pathway toward demystifying SUDEP, revealing robust avenues for future exploration, preventive measures, and targeted treatments.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 22, 2021·2 min read

Sudden Death From Deep in the Brain?

Researchers have identified a circuit within the brain that may be responsible for respiratory dysfunction and sudden death associated with Dravet syndrome.

This shows a stick and ball model of serotonin

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 4, 2019·4 min read

Serotonin may be a biomarker for breathing interruptions following seizures

Researchers say serotonin, a chemical commonly associated with mood regulation, may play in breathing problems associated with epileptic seizures. Those who had higher levels of serotonin following a seizure than before the event were less likely to experience interrupted breathing.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 20, 2019·5 min read

Epilepsy and sudden death linked to bad gene

Mice expressing a specific variant of the Scn1a gene associated with Dravet syndrome exhibited spontaneous seizures, disordered breathing and died prematurely.

This shows Ven Diagrams of how sudden death syndrome may occur

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 21, 2019·3 min read

Researchers point to a common cause in sudden death syndromes

An opinion article reports on a potential common cause for both SIDS and SUDEP. The reason sudden death may occur is due to a person's inability to wake when CO2 levels in the blood rise, as a result of dysfunctional serotonin neurons in the midbrain.

Featured Neurology

·August 1, 2016·6 min read

Leaky Calcium Triggers Brainstem Blackout That Results in Sudden Cardiac Death

A new study reports a mutation in a gene that helps regulate calcium in neurons can trigger blackouts in the brain-stem and increase the rick of sudden, unexpected death.

Featured Neurology

·March 9, 2016·5 min read

Changes in Heart Activity May Signal Epilepsy

According to a new study, the heart rate during sleep in children with epilepsy is significantly slower than in those without the condition.

This image shows the location of the amygdala in the brain.

Featured Neurology

·July 15, 2015·4 min read

Human Amygdala Stimulated by Researchers to Gain Insight into Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

For the first time, researchers have successfully stimulated a human amygdala and recorded breathing loss. Their research provides important insight into SUDEP.