Dallas scientists are unraveling cause behind sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
UC expert comments on new study to Dallas Morning News
The University of Cincinnati's Michael Privitera spoke with the Dallas Morning News on a new Southern Methodist University study that sheds new light on what might be happening in the brain when sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) occurs.
SUDEP is rare but results in an estimated 3,000 deaths per year.
“People can have SUDEP at any age,” said Privitera, MD, professor and division chief for epilepsy in UC's College of Medicine and a UC Health physician. He added that risk factors include uncontrolled seizures and poor adherence to medication, or when people aren’t taking their medicine as prescribed.
The study published in the journal Brain Communications identified neurons in the brain's corticolimbic system — made up of regions that govern everything from emotions to heart rate — that underlie SUDEP. When these neurons lacked a protein regulating electrical activity, called Kv1.1, mice had seizures and problems with breath and heart function.
Privitera, who was not involved in the study, said these findings stand out because they get to the root of SUDEP, at least for one type of rare genetic mutation responsible for epilepsy.
Read the Dallas Morning News article, which was also published on MSN.
Featured photo at top of Michael Privitera, MD, speaking with a patient. Photo courtesy of UC Health.
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.