Asystole induced by electrical stimulation of the left cingulate gyrus

Abstract

The cortical control of the autonomic system may account for the clinical phenomenon of ictal asystole which, in turn, has been speculated to be a potential mechanism for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We report an 18-year-old patient with frontal lobe epilepsy who had intracranial electrode placement showing bifrontal seizure-onset. This patient received electrical stimulation to the left cingulate gyrus and developed cardiac asystole within 3 seconds of electrical stimulation. Intracranial monitoring showed epileptiform discharges in the left frontal polar, frontal lateral and interhemispheric electrodes. We suggest that the left cingulate gyrus, as part of the central autono..