An increased risk of sudden death has been reported in patients with epilepsy since the late 1800s, and possibly much earlier (DeToledo et al., 1999; Doherty, 2004). In the past two decades sudden unexpected (or unexplained) death in epilepsy (SUDEP) has received increasing attention and been recognized as more widespread than previously believed. Despite the recent increase in awareness, “systematic well funded research remains limited. The medical literature contains much repetition, with effort spent on re-analysing data with substantial methodological limitations,” (Tomson et al., 2008). In addition to the need for better clinical and basic science studies, and improved epidemiological data, there is also a need for increased cognizance and understanding of SUDEP among neurologists and other physicians as well as patients and families.

A massive literature on SUDEP and closely related phenomena exists, with many studies having considerable overlap. Many isolated case reports have been published, and considering them collectively increases their informative power. To facilitate comparison of related articles, annotations are provided for most entries in this bibliography, and these are hyperlinked where applicable to other articles’ in the hope of permitting a more efficient synthesis of the literature. To further promote direct consultation of the primary literature, references are hyperlinked to their digital object identifier when available, permitting an interested reader one-click access to the original publication. An index is provided, and its entries link back to the site of their appearance in the bibliography. Because the SUDEP literature contains “much repetition,” it is hoped that this ‘active document’ approach will permit readers to navigate through relevant publications more efficiently, with the ultimate aim of improved patient care and better mechanistic understanding of the process, both of which have the potential to reduce SUDEP deaths.

Articles (organized by author)

A

Ackerman, MJ (2005): Cardiac causes of sudden unexpected death in children and their relationship to seizures and syncope: Genetic testing for cardiac electropathies
Adams, R (1827): Cases of diseases of the heart accompanied with pathological observations
Akalin F, Tirtir A, and Yilmaz Y (2003): Increased QT dispersion in epileptic children
Al-Aweel IC, Krishnamurthy KB, Hausdorff JM, Mietus JE, Ives JR, Blum AS, Schomer DL, and Goldberger AL (1999): Postictal heart rate oscillations in partial epilepsy
Almansori M, Ijaz M, and Ahmed SN (2006): Cerebral arrhythmia influencing cardiac rhythm: A case of ictal bradycardia
Altenmüller DM, Zehender M, and Schulze-Bonhage A (2004): High-grade atrioventricular block triggered by spontaneous and stimulation-induced epileptic activity in the left temporal lobe
Anand BK and Dua S (1956): Circulatory and respiratory changes induced by electrical stimulation of limbic system (visceral brain)
Annegers JF and Coan SP (1999): SUDEP: Overview of definitions and review of incidence data
Annegers JF, Coan SP, Hauser WA, Leestma J, Duffell W, and Tarver B (1998): Epilepsy, vagal nerve stimulation by the NCP system, mortality, and sudden, unexpected, unexplained death
Annegers JF, Coan SP, Hauser WA, and Leestma J (2000): Epilepsy, vagal nerve stimulation by the NCP system, all-cause mortality, and sudden, unexpected, unexplained death
Antoniuk SA, Oliva LV, Bruck I, Malucelli M, Yabumoto S, and Castellano JL (2001): Sudden unexpected, unexplained death in epilepsy autopsied patients
Arida RM, Scorza CA, Schmidt B, de Albuquerque M, Cavalheiro EA, and Scorza FA (2008): Physical activity in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: Much more than a simple sport
Asadi-Pooya AA and Sperling MR (2009): Clinical features of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Aserinsky E (1965): Periodic respiratory pattern occurring in conjunction with eye movements during sleep
Aurlien D, Taubøll E, and Gjerstad L (2007): Lamotrigine in idiopathic epilepsy – Increased risk of cardiac death?
Aurlien D, Tauböll E, and Gjerstad L (2008): An insufficient effect of lamotrigine leading to fatal seizures
Aurlien D, Leren TP, Taubøll E, and Gjerstad L (2009): New SCN5A mutation in a SUDEP victim with idiopathic epilepsy

B

Bacon GM (1868): On the modes of death in epilepsy
Bateman LM, Li CS, and Seyal M (2008): Ictal hypoxemia in localization-related epilepsy: Analysis of incidence, severity and risk factors
Bateman LM, Spitz M, and Seyal M (2010): Ictal hypoventilation contributes to cardiac arrhythmia and sudep: Report on two deaths in video-eeg-monitored patients
Bell GS and Sander JW (2006): Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Risk factors, possible 225 mechanisms and prevention: A reappraisal
Bell GS, Peacock JL, and Sander JW (2009): Seasonality as a risk factor for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A study in a large cohort
Benassi E, Bo GP, Cocito L, Maffini M, and Loeb C (1987): Carbamazepine and cardiac conduction disturbances
Bennani FK and Connolly CE (1997): Sudden unexpected death in young adults including four cases of SADS: A 10-year review from the west of Ireland
Beran RG, Weber S, Sungaran R, Venn N, and Hung A (2004): Review of the legal obligations of the doctor to discuss Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) – A cohort controlled comparative cross-matched study in an outpatient epilepsy clinic
Berg A (2001): Mortality in epilepsy
Bergfeldt L, Vallin H, Rosenqvist M, Insulander P, Nordlander R, and Aström H (1996): Sinus node recovery time assessment revisited: Role of pharmacologic blockade of the autonomic nervous system
Bird J, Dembny K, Sandeman D, and Butler S(1995): Sudden unexplained death explained?
Bird J, Dembny K, Sandeman D, and Butler S(1997): Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy: An intracranially monitored case
Black A (2005): SUDEP – Whether to tell and when
Blum AS, Ives JR, Goldberger AL, Al-Aweel IC, Krishnamurthy KB, Drislane FW, and Schomer DL (2000): Oxygen desaturations triggered by partial seizures: Implications for cardiopulmonary instability in epilepsy
Blumhardt LD, Smith PE, and Owen L (1986): Electrocardiographic accompaniments of temporal lobe epileptic seizures
Bowerman DL, Levisky JA, Urich RW, and Wittenberg PH (1978): Premature deaths in persons with seizure disorders – Subtherapeutic levels of anticonvulsant drugs in postmortem blood specimens
Bowers RE, McKeen CR, Park BE, and Brigham KL (1979): Increased pulmonary vascular permeability follows intracranial hypertension in sheep
Breckenridge CG and Hoff HE (1953): Ischemic and anoxic dissolution of the supramedullary control of respiration
Britton J, Ghearing G, Benarroch E, and Cascino G(2006): The ictal bradycardia syndrome: Localization and lateralization
Brna P, Camfield P, Camfield C, Messenger M, and Finley J (2006): When are episodes of loss of consciousness life-threatening?
Brodie MJ and Ben-Menachem E: Should patients or their families be told of the risk of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy?
Brodie MJ and Holmes GL (2008): Should all patients be told about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)? Pros and Cons
Brotherstone R, Blackhall B, and McLellan A (2009): Lengthening of corrected QT during epileptic seizures
Brown SW, Mawer GE, Lawler W, Taylor DC, Shorvon S, Betts TA, Noronha MJ, Richens A, Chadwick D, and Besag FM (1990): Sudden death and epilepsy

C

Callanan C(2008): Death in the shadows
Camfield CS, Camfield PR, and Veugelers PJ (2002): Death in children with epilepsy: A population-based study
Camfield P and Camfield C (2005): Sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy: A pediatric perspective
Carinci V, Barbato G, Baldrati A, and Di Pasquale G (2007): Asystole induced by partial seizures: A rare cause of syncope
Carlson C, Arnedo V, Cahill M, and Devinsky O (2009): Detecting nocturnal convulsions: Efficacy of the MP5 monitor
Carnel SB, Schraeder PL, and Lathers CM (1985): Effect of phenobarbital pretreatment on cardiac neural discharge and pentylenetetrazol-induced epileptogenic activity in the cat
Chapman WP, Livingston KE, and Poppen JL (1950): An observation of the effect of the electrical stimulation of the temporal lobes on blood pressure in man
Chapman WP, Livingston KE, and Poppen JL (1950): Effect upon blood pressure of electrical stimulation of tips of temporal lobes in man
Chapman WP, Schroeder HR, Geyer G, Brazier MA, Fager C, Poppen JL, Solomon HC, and Yakolev PI (1954): Physiological evidence concerning importance of the amygdaloid nuclear region in the integration of circulatory function and emotion in man
Chapman WP, Solomon HC, Schroeder HR, Brazier MA, Geyer G, Fager C, Poppen J, and Yakolev P(1956): Present status of the relationship of brain structures to the circulation and emotional expression in man
Chiron C, Marchand MC, Tran A, Rey E, d’Athis P, Vincent J, Dulac O, and Pons G (2000): Stiripentol in severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: a randomised placebo-controlled syndrome-dedicated trial. STICLO study group
Cho I, Kai M, Ichikado K, Naitoh M, Sakata T, and Suga M (2002): A case of neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with epileptic seizure
Chungath M and Shorvon S (2008): The mortality and morbidity of febrile seizures
Cockerell OC, Johnson AL, Sander JW, Hart YM, Goodridge DM, and Shorvon SD (1994): Mortality from epilepsy: Results from a prospective population-based study
Cohen MI (1971): Switching of the respiratory phases and evoked phrenic responses produced by rostral pontine electrical stimulation
Cohen MI (1981): Pulmonary afferent and central influences on respiratory phase-switching in the cat
Cohen-Gadol AA, DiLuna ML, and Spencer DD (2004): Partial epilepsy presenting as episodic dyspnea: A specific network involved in limbic seizure propagation
Colder BW, Frysinger RC, Wilson CL, Harper RM, and Engel J J (1996): Decreased neuronal burst discharge near site of seizure onset in epileptic human temporal lobes
Colder BW, Wilson CL, Frysinger RC, Chao LC, Harper RM, and Engel J J (1996): Neuronal synchrony in relation to burst discharge in epileptic human temporal lobes
Colder BW, Wilson CL, Frysinger RC, Harper RM, and Engel J J (1996): Interspike intervals during interictal periods in human temporal lobe epilepsy
Constantin L, Martins JB, Fincham RW, and Dagli RD (1990): Bradycardia and syncope as manifestations of partial epilepsy
Cooper PN (2008): Cardiac arrhythmias and SUDEP--Commentary on Hindocha et al.
Corfield DR, Fink GR, Ramsay SC, Murphy K, Harty HR, Watson JD, Adams L, Frackowiak RS, and Guz A(1995): Activation of limbic structures during CO2-stimulated breathing in awake man
Corfield DR, Fink GR, Ramsay SC, Murphy K, Harty HR, Watson JD, Adams L, Frack- owiak RS, and Guz A (1995): Evidence for limbic system activation during CO2-stimulated breathing in man
Cortey A, Monin P, Hascoet JM, Hamon I, and Vert P(1994): Effects of phenobarbital on cerebral blood flow during hypoxia
Coulter DL (1984): Partial seizures with apnea and bradycardia
Coyle HP, Baker-Brian N, and Brown SW (1994): Coroners’ autopsy reporting of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in the UK
Critchley HD, Corfield DR, Chandler MP, Mathias CJ, and Dolan RJ (2000): Cerebral correlates of autonomic cardiovascular arousal: A functional neuroimaging investigation in humans

D

Danielsson BR, Lansdell K, Patmore L, and Tomson T(2003): Phenytoin and phenobarbital inhibit human HERG potassium channels
Danielsson BR, Lansdell K, Patmore L, and Tomson T (2005): Effects of the antiepileptic drugs lamotrigine, topiramate and gabapentin on hERG potassium currents
Darbin O, Casebeer D, and Naritoku DK (2003): Effects of seizure severity and seizure repetition on postictal cardiac arrhythmia following maximal electroshock
Darbin O, Casebeer DJ, and Naritoku DK (2002): Cardiac dysrhythmia associated with the immediate postictal state after maximal electroshock in freely moving rat
Dasheiff RM (1991): Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: a series from an epilepsy surgery program and speculation on the relationship to sudden cardiac death
Dasheiff RM and Dickinson LJ (1986): Sudden unexpected death of epileptic patient due to cardiac arrhythmia after seizure
Davis AM and Wilkinson JL (1998): The long QT syndrome and seizures in childhood
de Albuquerque M, Scorza CA, Arida RM, Cavalheiro EA, and Scorza FA (2009): The mystery of Gustave Flaubert's death: could sudden unexpected death in epilepsy be part of the context?
De Burgh Daly M(1986): Interactions between respiration and circulation
de la Grandmaison GL (2006): Is there progress in the autopsy diagnosis of sudden unexpected death in adults?
DeGiorgio CM, Miller P, Meymandi S, and Gornbein JA (2008): N-3 fatty acids (fish oil) for epilepsy, cardiac risk factors, and risk of SUDEP: clues from a pilot, double-blind, exploratory study
Delgado JM (1960): Circulatory effects of cortical stimulation
Derby LE, Tennis P, and Jick H (1996): Sudden unexplained death among subjects with refractory epilepsy
DeToledo JC, DeToledo MB, and Lowe MR (1999): Epilepsy and sudden death: notes from George Washington's diaries on the illness and death of Martha Parke-Custis (1756-1773)
Devilat Barros M, Rivera Gómez G, Gómez Muñoz V, and Sepulveda Olmos JP(2004): Mortality in children with epilepsy. A clinical prospective study
Devinsky O, Price BH, and Cohen SI (1986): Cardiac manifestations of complex partial seizures
Devinsky O, Perrine K, and eodore WH(1994): Interictal autonomic nervous system function in patients with epilepsy
Devinsky O, Pacia S, and Tatambhotla G (1997): Bradycardia and asystole induced by partial seizures: A case report and literature review
Devinsky O (2004): Effects of Seizures on Autonomic and Cardiovascular Function
Doherty MJ (2004): The sudden death of Patsy Custis, or George Washington on sudden unexplained death in epilepsy
Donahue LM, Coates PW, Lee VH, Ippensen DC, Arze SE, and Poduslo SE (2000): The cardiac sodium channel mRNA is expressed in the developing and adult rat and human brain
Donner EJ, Smith CR, and Snead r OC (2001): Sudden unexplained death in children with epilepsy
Drake ME, Reider CR, and Kay A (1993): Electrocardiography in epilepsy patients without cardiac symptoms
Drake J ME, Andrews JM, and Castleberry CM (1998): Electrophysiologic assessment of autonomic function in epilepsy
Dravet C, Bureau M, Oguni H, Fukuyama Y, and Cokar O(2005): Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: Dravet syndrome
Druschky A, Hilz MJ, Hopp P, Platsch G, Radespiel-Tröger M, Druschky K, Kuwert T, Stefan H, and Neundörfer B (2001): Interictal cardiac autonomic dysfunction in temporal lobe epilepsy demonstrated by 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine-SPECT
Duffin J and Hockman CH (1972): Limbic forebrain and midbrain modulation and phase-switching of expiratory neurons
Duffin J, Hockman CH, Rupert AH, and Vachon BR(1974): Limbic system modulation of respiratory neurones
Durelli L, Mutani R, Sechi GP, Monaco F, Glorioso N, and Gusmaroli G (1985): Cardiac side effects of phenytoin and carbamazepine. A dose-related phenomenon?
Dütsch M, Hilz MJ, and Devinsky O (2006): Impaired baroreflex function in temporal lobe epilepsy
Dütsch M, Devinsky O, Doyle W, Marthol H, and Hilz MJ (2004): Cerebral autoregulation improves in epilepsy patients after temporal lobe surgery

E

Earnest MP, omas GE, Eden RA, and Hossack KF(1992): The sudden unexplained death syndrome in epilepsy: demographic, clinical, and postmortem features]]
El-Sayed HL, Kotby AA, Tomoum HY, El-Hadidi ES, El Behery SE, and El-Ganzory AM (2007): Non-invasive assessment of cardioregulatory autonomic functions in children with epilepsy
Epstein MA, Sperling MR, and O’Connor MJ (1992): Cardiac rhythm during temporal lobe seizures
Erickson T(1939): Cardiac activity during epileptic seizures
Evrengül H, Tanriverdi H, Dursunoglu D, Kaftan A, Kuru O, Unlu U, and Kilic M (2005): Time and frequency domain analyses of heart rate variability in patients with epilepsy