Why seizures stop breathing and cause sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
The neural circuitry of seizure-induced apnea and SUDEP
This project aims to find the brain circuits that cause seizures to stop breathing, which could help people with severe or treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11377841 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models that carry epilepsy-linked gene changes and induced seizures to see which brainstem and midbrain areas trigger breathing to stop during tonic seizures. They will record electrical activity from neurons, map which cells are involved, and use genetic and functional tools to turn specific circuits on or off. The team is focusing on brainstem regions like the parabrachial/Kölliker-Fuse nucleus and the periaqueductal gray as potential nodal points for seizure-induced apnea. The work builds on findings that artificial ventilation can prevent death and aims to identify targets that could be translated into ways to prevent SUDEP.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with epilepsy—especially those with frequent tonic seizures or treatment-resistant epilepsy—are the population most likely to benefit from discoveries that reduce seizure-induced breathing failure.
Not a fit: People whose events are non-epileptic or whose seizures do not cause breathing problems are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic laboratory work in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent seizures from stopping breathing and lower the risk of SUDEP for people with epilepsy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that seizure-induced apnea can cause sudden death and that artificial ventilation can prevent death, but detailed mapping of the exact brain circuits involved is a newer effort.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wenker, Ian Christopher — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Wenker, Ian Christopher
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.