ABSTRACT

There are multiple contributing risk factors that, in combinations including environmental circumstances for any given individual with epilepsy, may result in death. Although at the present time the scientific understanding of SUDEP favors the notion that it is “unexpected” and thus unpredictable, we believe SUDEP might be predictable and potentially avoidable based on the presence or absence of risk factors. In-depth discussions of SUDEP risk factors are found in the following references: All 1000 pages of the SUDEP book by Lathers et al. (2011) and especially chapter 1, chapter 12 by Walczak, chapter 24 by Wannamaker, and chapter 37 by Mameli and Alessandro; Jay and Leestma (1981); and Leestma et al. (1989). Detailed discussions of some SUDEP Risk Factors and Mechanisms for and relevant author citations are listed below

1. Cardiac arrhythmias: Lathers and Schraeder 1982, 1987; Lathers et al. 1987; Tester and Ackerman, 2006, 2007; Aurlien et al. 2007; Alkadhi and Alzoubi 2011, ch. 26; Bealer et al. 2011, ch. 38

2. Lock step phenomenon mechanism: Lathers and Schraeder 1983, 1989 and students Stauffer et  al. 1989 and 2011; O’Rourke and Lathers, 2011; Dodd-O and Lathers 2011

3. Respiratory and hypoxia pathology: Lathers and Schraeder 1982; Carnel et al. 1985; Simon et al. 1982; Sedy et al. 2008; So et al. 2000; Stewart 2011; Terrence et al. 1981; Johnston et al. 1995, 1997

4. Cardiac and respiratory: All above references and Scorza et al. 2007; Finsterer and Stollesburg 2011, ch. 42; Koehler et al. 2011, ch. 9

5. Syncope: Lathers et al. 2011, chapters 1 and 22 6. Genetic: Tester and Ackerman, 2006, 2007;

Herreros 2011, ch. 19 7. Stress: Lathers and Schraeder 2006; Alkadhi and

Alzoubi 2011, ch. 26 8. Therapies: Lathers and Schraeder 2002, ch. 47;

Lathers and Schraeder 2011; Lathers et al. 2003, odds ratios; Ryvlin et al. 2009; Tomson 2011

9. Sleep/wake cycle and lock step phenomenon: Hughes and Sato 2011, ch. 23

10. Unusual factors that may modify SUDEP risk: Scorza et al. 2007, winter temperatures, 2008, protective omega 3 fatty acids, 2011, ch. 3; Calderazzo et al. 2009, climate fluctuations; Terra-Bustamante et al., 2009 lunar phase

11. See Tables in this Chapter for expansion of risk factors discussion.