The purpose of this research study is to better understand what causes Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). This study will enroll subjects from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) and Epilepsy Clinics. The investigators will analyze the effects of seizures on breathing, on the cardiovascular system, and on arousal. The investigators are studying these effects because some cases of SUDEP might be due, in part, to an inability to wake up or sense elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels when breathing is impaired. Subjects will be followed for ten years after enrollment to monitor their health.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Determine the correlation between baseline central CO2 chemosensitivity and the increase in transcutaneous CO2 levels after a seizure.
Timeframe: Immediately before and after a seizure, variable for each subject but approximately 10 minutes
Determine the correlation between baseline central CO2 chemosensitivity and the duration of transcutaneous CO2 elevation above baseline after a seizure.
Timeframe: Duration of hospital admission, approximately 5 days
Effect of seizures on HCVR slope (liters/min/mm Hg)
Timeframe: Up to 18 hours after a seizure.
Determine the stability of the HCVR slope over time in patients with epilepsy. of the HCVR over time in patients with epilepsy
Timeframe: 2 years