ION CHANNELS IN EPILEPSY - The identification of genetic risk factors that predispose an individual to epilepsy and to sudden death (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)


SUDEP is a catastrophic complication of epilepsy.  The mechanism of SUDEP is not fully understood.  There is evidence that genetic factors may predispose an individual to epilepsy and to SUDEP.


Dr Goldman is a neurologist, specialized in the field of epilepsy.  She and her colleagues at The Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, are conducting a research study called “Ion Channels in Epilepsy”.  The aim of this research is to identify genetic risk factors that predispose an individual to epilepsy and to sudden death.  The study is funded by The National Institute of Health (NIH) and The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).


In order to perform this research, investigators need blood samples or a small piece of fresh tissue from patients that died as a result of their seizure disorder.


If you would like to learn more about this study, or for participation, please contact the study coordinator Ms Melissa Lambeth via Email 
or on Tel: [001] 713-798-2227.


Dr Goldman and her colleagues very much appreciate your consideration of their research.  Your support of their efforts is extremely important.  It is a contribution towards a better understanding of epilepsy and towards the future design of preventative strategies that will, hopefully, eliminate unnecessary loss of lives due to SUDEP.

Source: Correspondence with Dr Alica Goldman, March 2009



In October 2009, the group reported finding the first gene that might explain SUDEP:

"Marker for SUDEP" webcast, Jeffrey Noebels, Epilepsy Pipeline Update Conference (Feb 26, 2010)
Baylor College of Medicine's
news release (Oct 14)
Reuters UK's
news article (Oct 14)
Epilepsy Research UK's
news coverage (Nov 18)





In April 2010, a second one was identified:

Epilepsy Research UK's news coverage (Apr 21)
ABC13 video coverage (Apr 14)
Baylor College of Medicine news release (Apr 13)
Society for Neuroscience
news release (Apr 13)









Please consider helping research by donating your loved one's blood samples and tissues for further investigation.  In most cases the samples need to be fresh, as the preserving solution may interfere with results.  So, if this is something you are contemplating, we urge you to contact the study coordinator, as soon as possible, in order to avoid disappointment.

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