Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: some approaches to prevent it

Mortality because of epilepsy is a major concern worldwide. People with epilepsy have a two to three times increased risk of death in comparison with the general population. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy is a mysterious, rare condition, in which typically young or middle-aged people with epilepsy die without a clearly defined cause. Several different mechanisms probably exist, and most research has focused on seizure-related respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmia, cerebral depression, and autonomic dysfunction. In recent years, some significant risk factors have been recognized and strategies have been suggested that may be useful in prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The present review provides some of the updates on new advances in prevention of SUDEP.