ABSTRACT
How do we identify those patients with epilepsy who are at greatest risk of sudden unexpected death and prevent them from dying prematurely? How do we unravel the mystery of SUDEP?
Most likely, different mechanisms and/or a different combination of mechanisms are responsible for death in people with epilepsy (Lathers et al. 2011, ch. 1). A global, comprehensive approach is needed to resolve the risk factors for and mechanisms of epilepsy and SUDEP (Lathers 2009). Accordingly, in this book we describe the rationale and details for a new and unique method of research for studying the risk factors and mechanisms underlying SUDEP and introduce our approach in this chapter. Our hope is that discussions and strategies described here and throughout this book will be applied to help unravel the mystery of SUDEP.
Lathers et al. conducted a retrospective examination of SUDEP forensic autopsy cases in the 2001 records of the Allegheny County coroner (Lathers et al. 2011, Epilepsy & Behavior). The findings of that study as well as the following quotes emhasize the problems associated with the mechanistic mystery of SUDEP and further emphasize the need for a new approach to unraveling the mysteries of SUDEP.
