Cardio-Cerebral Ion Channel Dysfunction: Linking Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy and Long QT Syndrome

This mechanistic review examines shared ion channel dysfunctions (particularly KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A variants) that may simultaneously cause seizure susceptibility and cardiac repolarization abnormalities, proposing an integrated 'cardio-cerebral ion channelopathy' framework for understanding SUDEP risk. The authors discuss critical implications for anti-seizure medication safety assessment and precision medicine strategies in patients with overlapping neurological and cardiac vulnerability.