SUDEP: Biomarkers and Pathobiology

We do not know what causes SUDEP, and we cannot explain why it happens, which makes it very difficult to predict who may be at higher risk and how best to reduce that risk. Based on their initial work, Dr. Sisodiya’s team proposes that the overall summed effect of various subtle changes in an individual’s genetic code influences their risk of SUDEP. For this project, the team will build on their preliminary findings by comparing genetic information from people who sadly succumbed to SUDEP with that from a matched group of living people with epilepsy. The goal of this proposed work is to develop SUDEP risk prediction tools using genetic biomarkers.