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Serotonin and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Serotonin and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

Alexandra N Petrucci, Katelyn G Joyal, Benton S Purnell and Gordon F Buchanan
Experimental neurology, Vol.325, pp.113145-113145
03/2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113145
PMID: 31866464
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/7029792View
Open Access

Abstract

Epilepsy is a highly prevalent disease characterized by recurrent, spontaneous seizures. Approximately one-third of epilepsy patients will not achieve seizure freedom with medical management and become refractory to conventional treatments. These patients are at greatest risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The exact etiology of SUDEP is unknown, but a combination of respiratory, cardiac, neuronal electrographic dysfunction, and arousal impairment is thought to underlie SUDEP. Serotonin (5-HT) is involved in regulation of breathing, sleep/wake states, arousal, and seizure modulation and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of SUDEP. This review explores the current state of understanding of the relationship between 5-HT, epilepsy, and respiratory and autonomic control processes relevant to SUDEP in epilepsy patients and in animal models.
Death SUDEP Serotonin Epilepsy Seizures

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