#TalkSudepNow #SUDEPActionDay2022

On Wednesday, October 19 the worldwide epilepsy community will come together for SUDEP Action Day, an international event to raise awareness about Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). SUDEP occurs when a seemingly healthy person with epilepsy dies for no known or obvious reason. It is perhaps the most devastating possible consequence of epilepsy.

This year, organizers are asking us to #TalkSudepNow to encourage critical conversations on epilepsy risks and SUDEP. As the leading private funder of SUDEP research, CURE Epilepsy is honored to support SUDEP Action Day and will be posting content each day during the week of October 17 to help increase awareness and spark important dialogues about epilepsy and SUDEP. Remember that through research there is hope.

Increase SUDEP Awareness by Sharing These Infographics on Social Media

Far too many people are unaware of SUDEP, its risk factors, and ways to mitigate your risk for SUDEP. That’s why we created these infographics: to make it easy for everyone to learn and share this vital information.

Help us spread the word and initiate critical conversations about this awful consequence of epilepsy — share these infographics with your friends and family by posting them on social media.

Webinar: SUDEP & The Heart: A Multi-System Approach to Understanding Electrical Disturbances

In this webinar, Dr. David Auerbach, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, helped viewers learn how inherited neuronal or cardiac diseases may lead to electrical disturbances in both the brain and heart, how altered cardiac function may lead to SUDEP, and why it is critical for the epilepsy community to take a holistic approach to fully understand biological changes that ultimately cause SUDEP.

New Seizing Life Episode

In this new episode of Seizing Life, we welcome CURE Epilepsy Board Member Hannah Whitten to the podcast. Hannah’s older brother Dylan lived with epilepsy nearly his entire life, until he passed away from SUDEP at the age of 25. Though she was 5 years younger, Hannah was a constant companion to Dylan as they grew up and was often his main caregiver. She tells us about her brother’s attitude and determination not to let epilepsy define or limit his life, attending and graduating from college, working, and eventually living on his own. Hannah also talks about her experiences having a sibling with epilepsy and the impact that epilepsy has had on their family.

New CURE Epilepsy Discovery on Advances in SUDEP Research

A new CURE Epilepsy Discovery published on Thursday, October 20. This Discovery focuses on new SUDEP findings thanks to research funded by CURE Epilepsy.

Webinar: Breathing and SUDEP: Research & the Influence of Seizures on the Respiratory System

Research suggests that respiratory dysfunction following generalized convulsive seizures is an important cause of SUDEP. Interruptions in breathing can occur during and after seizures leading to an imbalance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body. The ability to restore normal breathing patterns and remove excess carbon dioxide may be weakened in some people with epilepsy, potentially increasing their risk of SUDEP.

Research will lead us to a cure. Share this video with your friends, family, and colleagues on social media using the hashtag #TalkSudepNow!