Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Chemosensitivity and SUDEP
Epilepsy, SUDEP
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Epilepsy focused on measuring Epilepsy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- The subject is between 18 and 99 years of age.
- Confirmed or suspected epilepsy.
- Admission to the EMU for spell characterization (EMU group) or undergoing care in the University of Iowa Health Care Epilepsy Clinic.
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of uncontrolled cardiac, pulmonary, or hepatic disease.
- Progressive or uncontrolled neurologic disease unrelated to epilepsy.
- Current opioid use.
- Women of child-bearing potential who are pregnant or capable of becoming pregnant (e.g. sexual activity within the past 21 days without a highly effective form of birth control or positive urine pregnancy test).
- Other comorbid condition that may influence the safety or feasibility of HCVR testing.
- Limited decision-making capacity and absence of a qualified representative.
Sites / Locations
- University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Other
Respiratory physiology testing
Subjects will wear a nosepiece and breathe through a Y-valve that allows switching from room air to two 5-liter rebreathing bags pre-filled with 50% O2, 6% CO2, and balance N2. Ventilation and respiratory gases will be measured using a pneumotachograph and rapid gas analyzers (Ultima PFX pulmonary function/stress testing system, Medical Graphics Corp). In subjects who experience clinical seizure-like activity, we will repeat the HCVR. This repeat test will occur 2 or more hours after a generalized convulsive seizure (GCS). We will repeat the HCVR at least 30 minutes after a non-GCS. Finally, we may repeat the HCVR at least 18 hours after the last seizure (GCS or non-GCS). It is anticipated that some subjects may exhibit frequent seizures that necessitate the adjustment of this schedule. Subjects may also be asked to sniff, hold their breath, and breathe through tubes of different sizes.