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Challenges and future directions of SUDEP models

Lab Animal volume 53, pages 226–243 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of death among patients with epilepsy, causing a global public health burden. The underlying mechanisms of SUDEP remain elusive, and effective prevention or treatment strategies require further investigation. A major challenge in current SUDEP research is the lack of an ideal model that maximally mimics the human condition. Animal models are important for revealing the potential pathogenesis of SUDEP and preventing its occurrence; however, they have potential limitations due to species differences that prevent them from precisely replicating the intricate physiological and pathological processes of human disease. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of several available SUDEP animal models, highlighting their pros and cons. More importantly, we further propose the establishment of an ideal model based on brain–computer interfaces and artificial intelligence, hoping to offer new insights into potential advancements in SUDEP research. In doing so, we hope to provide valuable information for SUDEP researchers, offer new insights into the pathogenesis of SUDEP and open new avenues for the development of strategies to prevent SUDEP.

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Fig. 1: Future SUDEP animal models with BCI and applied AI.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 81771403 and 81974205), the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (LZ20H090001) and the Program of New Century 131 outstanding young talent plan top-level of Hang Zhou to H.H.Z., by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 82001379) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (grant no. 2020JJ5952) to H.T.Z. and by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (grant no. 2021JJ31047) to C.Z.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: JiaXuan Gu, WeiHui Shao, Lu Liu, YuLing Wang.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, the Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China

    JiaXuan Gu, WeiHui Shao, YuLing Wang, Yue Yang, YaXuan Wu, LeYuan Gu, YuanLi Zhang & HongHai Zhang

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

    Lu Liu, ZhuoYue Zhang, Qing Xu & HongHai Zhang

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China

    Yue Shen & HongHai Zhang

  4. Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

    HaiTing Zhao

  5. Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

    Chang Zeng

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Contributions

The review was designed and conceptualized by H.H.Z. J.X.G., W.H.S., L.L. and Y.L.W. wrote the draft of the manuscript and drafted the figure. Y.Y., Z.Y.Z., Y.X.W., Q.X., L.Y.G., Y.L.Z., Y.S., H.T.Z. and C.Z. reviewed the manuscript and participated in the revisions. All authors contributed to the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to HongHai Zhang.

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Lab Animal thanks Prosper N’Gouemo and the other, anonymous reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Gu, J., Shao, W., Liu, L. et al. Challenges and future directions of SUDEP models. Lab Anim 53, 226–243 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-024-01426-y

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