Abstract
Sudden and unexpected death in patients with epilepsy is now well recognized. The autopsies in these cases have no anatomical or toxicological findings, so determination of death is based upon history and scene examination, as well as the autopsy and ancillary investigations. The use of the term SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) for these cases has developed since the 1980's, largely driven by researchers in epilepsy. There have been various attempts at definitions of SUDEP. This paper reviews the history of SUDEP, its incidence, proposed mechanisms for its occurrence, and whether the use of the term SUDEP in certification of the cause of death is appropriate or whether theses deaths are correctly certified as epilepsy, as epilepsy is the underlying disease that results in death.
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