Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

From mice to clinical relevance: humanizing neuroscience with human-based model systems.

Frontiers in cellular neuroscience·2026

Same author

Reliable detection of focal onset impaired awareness seizures in patients with epilepsy using wearable ECG: Development and validation study.

Computer methods and programs in biomedicine·2026

Same author

The T4-L1 Hip Axis Describes Sagittal Alignment in Operative Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Spine·2026

Same author

Transport-related effects on intrinsic and synaptic properties of human cortical neurons: A comparative study.

The Journal of physiology·2026

Same author

A New Toolbox to Label Zinc-MTF1 Responsive Neuronal Populations Unravels Cellular Congruence between MTF1 Responses and T-type Calcium Channelopathies in an Experimental Model of Epilepsy.

Molecular neurobiology·2025

Same author

Modeling AP2M1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in Drosophila.

Disease models & mechanisms·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: January 29, 2018

Autonomic dysfunction in epilepsy mouse models with implications for SUDEP research.

Jennifer Bauer^1,2, Orrin Devinsky³, Markus Rothermel²

¹Department of Epileptology and Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.

Frontiers in Neurology

|January 23, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is linked to brainstem dysfunction during seizures. New research using mouse models and advanced techniques aims to uncover mechanisms causing SUDEP to develop preventative strategies.

Keywords:

SUDEP brainstem cardiorespiratory activity epilepsy mouse models

More Related Videos

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Published on: July 21, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Simultaneous Video-EEG-ECG Monitoring to Identify Neurocardiac Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: January 29, 2018

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms ECoGs and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Published on: July 21, 2015

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Epileptology
Cardiorespiratory Physiology

Background:

Epilepsy is prevalent, impacting quality of life and increasing mortality risk.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of death in drug-resistant epilepsy, often linked to brainstem dysfunction.
Understanding how seizures affect the brainstem is crucial for SUDEP prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current understanding of brainstem pathophysiology in epilepsy and SUDEP.
To explore how advanced techniques can elucidate mechanisms of seizure propagation to the brainstem.
To identify potential strategies for SUDEP prevention.

Main Methods:

Review of insights from mouse models of epilepsy.
Application of advanced techniques including in vivo, ex vivo, invasive, and non-invasive methods.
Utilizing optogenetics alongside electrophysiological and optical recording methods in mice.

Main Results:

Seizure activity can spread to the brainstem, disrupting cardiorespiratory control and arousal.
Mechanisms of seizure propagation to the brainstem and subsequent SUDEP remain incompletely understood.
Advanced techniques offer unprecedented opportunities to study these mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Further research using combined approaches is vital for understanding brainstem dysfunction in epilepsy.
Elucidating these mechanisms may lead to novel strategies for preventing SUDEP.
Targeting brainstem pathophysiology could be key to mitigating SUDEP risk.