Are lethal audiogenic seizures a missing link to the sudden infant death syndrome?
The pathogenesis of human seizure disorders has largely been derived from rodent models. A number of rodent and chick strains exhibit a genetic predisposition for lethal audiogenic seizures (AGSs) in the first year of life. Consideration is warranted that this disorder may be linked to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Factors that carry a strong association with SIDS such as hyperthermia and the prone sleeping position would conceivably play a significant role in a human AGS syndrome. Importantly, there is data to support the likelihood that motor seizure activity may be absent in infants with an AGS syndrome. Rodent AGSs may hold important clues to unraveling the mystery of SIDS.
Rubens
Daniel D
DD
Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, University of Washington, School of Medicine, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. daniel.rubens@seattlechildrens.org
D000818:Animals; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D051381:Rats; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*