{
  "abstract": "Objective\n\nIctal and post ictal central apnoea (ICA and PCA) are driven by suppression of brainstem respiratory drive and represent an electroclinical biomarker of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). While animal models have demonstrated a true 'atonic diaphragm' underlying seizure-related apnoea, no human polygraphic study has yet confirmed respiratory muscle 'atonia' with direct EMG recording.Methods\n\nIn this case report, we present a 26-year-old female with meningoencephalocele-associated temporal lobe epilepsy who underwent a video-EEG polygraphy integrated with surface EMG from intercostals muscles and the diaphragm.Results\n\nWe recorded a left frontotemporal seizure with ICA and four consecutives PCA events, all accompanied by surface electromyographic silence of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles.Conclusions\n\nThis case provide a human polygraphic evidence of diaphragm and intercostal muscles silence during ICA and PCA, confirming the cascade of respiratory inhibition through brainstem respiratory centres down to respiratory muscles themselves. Notably, muscles relaxation occurred despite the patient was awake and able to follow commands.Significance\n\nThese findings support the importance of cardiorespiratory polygraphy during presurgical video-EEG evaluation, especially for temporal lobe seizures, to identify patients at higher SUDEP risk.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Biomedical Metabolic Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.",
    "Neurophysiology Unit and Epilepsy Centre, Neuroscience Department, Modena AOU, Modena, Italy.",
    "Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy."
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Margherita Burani"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Giada Giovannini"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Niccolò Orlandi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Matteo Pugnaghi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Lisa Taruffi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Sofia Angeloni"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Stefano Meletti"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d6nr6239mgbme.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.cnp.2026.10.004",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13682482",
  "id": "d6nr6239mgbme",
  "issns": [
    "2467-981X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904215",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2738|Epilepsy research and treatment"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221439547",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13682482?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13682482",
  "pmid": "42904215",
  "published": "2026-10-11",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d6nr6239mgbme.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42904215",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904215"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2738|Epilepsy research and treatment",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Diaphragm 'atonia' during ictal and post-ictal apnoea: A case report.",
  "title_text": "Diaphragm 'atonia' during ictal and post-ictal apnoea: A case report.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d6nr6239mgbme",
  "venue": "Clinical neurophysiology practice",
  "versions": []
}