The Role of Central CO2 Chemosensitivity in Postictal Respiratory Depression and SUDEP
University of Iowa
Summary
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.
Description
In this study, the investigators will only enroll adults with confirmed or suspected epilepsy; there is no control group. Patients admitted to the UIHC Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) for continuous VideoEEG will undergo video recordings of their face and body, electroencephalography (EEG), and electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of their normal clinical care. Research subjects will undergo noninvasive cardiorespiratory monitoring during their EMU stay for the purpose of correlating heart rate and breathing patterns with EEG patterns related to their seizures. Eligible subjects will undergo severa…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. The subject is between 18 and 99 years of age. 2. Confirmed or suspected epilepsy. 3. Admission to the EMU for spell characterization (EMU group) or undergoing care in the University of Iowa Health Care Epilepsy Clinic. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary, or hepatic disease. 2. Progressive or uncontrolled neurologic disease unrelated to epilepsy. 3. Current opioid use. 4. Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant or capable of becoming pregnant (e.g. sexual activity within the past 21 days without a highly effective form of birth…
Interventions
- Other6% Carbon dioxide/50% oxygen/balance nitrogen mixture
In the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) test, the subject will rebreathe a gas mixture that has 6% carbon dioxide and 50% oxygen. This test has been performed for decades for research and clinical purposes. The effects of carbon dioxide inhalation are short lived and do not cause long term consequences. the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR), we will have you
Location
- University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsIowa City, Iowa