Wavelet phase coherence of ictal scalp EEG-extracted muscle activity (SMA) as a biomarker for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy and 8-17% of the deaths in patients with epilepsy are attributed to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The goal of the present work was to establish a biomarker for SUDEP so that preventive treatment can be instituted. APPROACH: Seizure activity in patients with SUDEP and non-SUDEP was analyzed, specifically, the scalp EEG extracted muscle activity (SMA) and the …