Cardiomyopathies, Channelopathy, Epilepsy, Seizures, Syncope
Conditions
Keywords
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, SUDEP, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Sudden Cardiac Death, Sleep, Ion channel disease, Long QT syndrome, Brugada, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
Brief summary
Epilepsy is a common condition which affects over 3 million people in the US. Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy have a lifetime risk of sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) of 35%, which is greatest in those under 40 years of age. The exact mechanisms and causes are not understood but can be due to underlying conditions which affect the heart and brain, which may lead to dangerous heart rhythms and death. Some of these conditions which affect heart and brain have an identifiable genetic cause. This study aims to identify known genetic causes of heart rhythm and sudden death related disorders in patients with epilepsy.
Detailed description
The overall goals are to determine whether patients with epilepsy who have the highest risk of SUDEP have an underlying genetic cardiovascular disorder. The investigators are seeking patients with epilepsy who have a high risk of SUDEP identified by using a risk scoring tool called SUDEP-7 and/or have blood-relatives with a history of epilepsy, seizure, cardiac arrest, sudden death, drowning/near-drowning, syncope or heart rhythm disorder. The investigators may also include blood-relatives of patients with epilepsy and invite them to participate by providing a blood sample and/or buccal cells (from a swab or saliva) for genetic testing.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
American Heart Association
Mayo Clinic
Study design
Observational model
FAMILY_BASED
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults ages 18 - 50 with a diagnosis of epilepsy or seizures, or syncope or drowning or cardiac arrest or sudden death or an abnormal ECG suggestive of an arrhythmia * Blood-relatives (Aged 18+) of a patient with a history of epilepsy, seizure, cardiac arrest, sudden death, drowning, syncope or arrhythmia
Exclusion criteria
* Those who are unable to provide written consent. * Prisoners (vulnerable population) * Seizures secondary to ischemic events * Traumatic brain injury resulting in seizures * History of cranial surgery * History of brain tumor
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Using Next Generation Whole-Exome Sequencing, determine if an underlying genetic cardiac mutation is present in refractory epilepsy patients who are at highest risk of sudden death. | 3-5 years | SUDEP-7 is a risk profiling tool, with a score ranging from 0-12. Generally, a score greater than or equal to 3 is considered high risk. The investigators will select participants with a family history of epilepsy, seizures, cardiac arrest, sudden death, drowning, syncope or arrhythmia, as this markedly increases genetic yield. Next Generation Whole-Exome Sequencing will be performed with a focus on known genes implicated in sudden unexpected death syndromes (channelopathies, cardiomyopathies and aortopathies) and autonomic control. Where relevant, blood-relatives may be invited for genomic 'trio' analyses. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactSomers CPL Lab
Outcome results
None listed