This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.This study examines the cause of sudden, unexpected death in persons with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disease with seizures. Seizures come in many forms with symptoms from brief periods of inattention to purposeless movements of arms and legs to violent movements of arms and legs with loss of consciousness. This is a very common problem. In the United States, more that 2 million people are being treated for their epilepsy each year. People with epilepsy have a higher risk of dying unexpectedly. In some studies this risk is measured as 24 times the rate of unexpected death in persons without epilepsy. The reasons for this increased risk are as yet, unclear. The study will test the idea that epileptics are more likely to have changes in their heart rate (autonomic dysfunction) and abnormal changes in breathing while asleep. We think that the combination of these two problems; loss of ability to change heart rate and slow breathing is responsible for putting people with seizures at higher risk for unexpected death.When a person signs up for the study, he/she will be given a physical exam and screened for participation after a full explanation and agreement. Each person will have a sleep study to identify sleep and breathing patterns. We will measure the amount of sleep and sleep type (stages) from drowsiness to rapid eye movement sleep. At the same time we will measure how well each person breathes and gets oxygen to their body. We will also monitor heart rate and changes in heart rate experienced through the night. Next, the person will spend 24 hours in the General Clinical Research Center. During this day she/he will have continuous heart rate checks (monitoring) plus electroencephalography (EEG), a brain wave test that shows sleep, normal awake and unusual brain waves and seizures.There is a possibility that during the testing, the people who have severe epilepsy may have a seizure. Everyone will be closely monitored for safety. The information on the brain wave testing (EEG) will be compared to the heart rate and sleep information. The study will look at the way brain waves, heart rate changes and breathing influence each other.
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