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Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms
Published on: March 3, 2021
Therapeutic hypothermia for status epilepticus: A report, historical perspective, and review
Alicia E Bennett1, Robert E Hoesch2, L Dana DeWitt1
1University of Utah, Neurology Department, 175 N. Medical Dr. East, 5th Floor, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Abstract:
Refractory status epilepticus is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, which does not always respond to standard treatments, and when they fail, alternative modalities become crucial. Therapeutic hypothermia slows nerve conduction in vitro, and has been shown to abort seizures in animal models. Therapeutic hypothermia has been experimentally used in humans since 1963 for a variety of intracranial pathologies. More recently there have been multiple reports demonstrating the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia in treating refractory status epilepticus. We report a case of super-refractory status epilepticus successfully treated with therapeutic hypothermia, complimented by a historical and literature review of this modality. While there is limited evidence, and some risks associated with therapeutic hypothermia, it should be considered as a reasonable and potentially effective treatment option for refractory status epilepticus.
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