Authors

1 Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust & Exeter Medical School, Chygovenck Threemilestone Industrial Estate, Truro Cornwall, United Kingdom

2 Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

3 Department of Neurology, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, United Kingdom

4 Department of Neurology King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom

5 Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

* Correspondence: Rohit Shankar Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust & Exeter Medical School, Chygovenck Threemilestone Industrial Estate, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9LD, United Kingdom

This review aims to empower general neurologists to provide better informed person-centred advice on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) to people with epilepsy in order to help keep them safe. Past and present evidence is consolidated in order to inform readers about SUDEP, and up-to-date insights into the epidemiology, diagnostic classification, pathophysiology, risk factors, influence of co-morbidity, and importance of sensitive person-centred communication are outlined. This review provides “fingertip” information to the practicing neurologist with regards to identifying and communicating risks for SUDEP and suggests practical measures for managing these risks in partnership with the patient.