Emerging research from the United States could provide a vital clue to predicting or preventing Sudden Unexpected Death due to Epilepsy (SUDEP).
In a paper recently published in the medical journal JCI Insight, researchers from the University of Iowa identified a region in a specific part of the brain – known as the amygdala – that was consistently responsible for loss of breathing during seizures in children. The team dubbed this area of the amygdala the “AIR” site – the Amygdala Inhibition of Respiration (AIR).
As studies on SUDEP have intensified over the last number of years, more focus is being placed on why people stop breathing during their seizures. The identification of this “AIR” region could provide a vital clue into understanding and preventing SUDEP in the future according to Dr Brian Dlouhy, lead researcher on the University of Iowa study.
Dr. Dlouhy commented, “Pinpointing exactly which part of the amygdala is responsible for loss of breathing during seizures could be key to preventing SUDEP. A more complete understanding of the AIR site may prove valuable for determining which patients are at greatest risk for SUDEP and may even provide a therapeutic target for preventing seizure-induced apnoea and SUDEP.”
The full study can be found by visiting the JCI Insight website.
Further information on SUDEP can be found by visiting the 'SUDEP' section of our website. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Community Resource Officer.