Sign Up for a Free Account
  • Updated 09.09.2023
  • Released 09.09.1993
  • Expires For CME 09.09.2026

Sleep and epilepsy

Introduction

Overview

For many patients with epilepsy, sleep plays an integral role in their disorder. The dynamic state of sleep offers unique diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for diseases of the central nervous system, such as epilepsy. Sleep encompasses neurophysiological states that may reveal aspects of epilepsy that are not readily apparent in wakefulness. Sleep deprivation is accepted as a provocative agent for seizures and epileptiform activity. Sleep may also reveal interictal discharges or permit seizures that are not seen during wake. In addition, the treatment of sleep disorders may provide beneficial effects to the brain to improve the control of seizures and quality of life. Beyond sleep, the circadian rhythm may further influence the timing of seizures and medication pharmacokinetics and effect. Epilepsy and its treatment may also influence sleep. Epileptic discharges can change the brain’s sleep regulatory mechanisms, increasing shifts in sleep stages and arousals. Moreover, the treatment of epilepsy may alter the brain’s sleep regulation.

Key points

• Patients with epilepsy frequently complain of sleep issues.

• Excessive daytime sleepiness may be related to sleep deprivation, sleep disorder, epilepsy-related sleep disruption, or effect of medication.

• Insomnia may be related to poor sleep hygiene, a comorbid sleep disorder, epilepsy-related sleep disruption, or effect of medication.

• Ictal and interictal discharges may disrupt sleep and the regulatory processes associated with sleep.

• Treatment of sleep disorders may improve epilepsy, and epilepsy may improve sleep.

Historical note and terminology

Aristotle noted that “sleep is like epilepsy and epilepsy is like sleep.” This relationship and comparison drives to the heart that both are states of altered awareness as dictated by brain function. Sleep is a normal physiological state that helps rejuvenate the brain, whereas epileptic seizures are a pathological state associated with a variety of negative outcomes. Galen also noted that patients with epilepsy should be cautioned to get enough sleep (56). In 1880, Gower classified patients with epilepsy into three groups: those that had seizures only in sleep, those that had seizures only when awake, and those with diffuse epilepsy (45). He also recognized that over time, patients would transition from sleep- or wake-dependent seizures into those with diffuse epilepsy. Janz furthered our understanding of the relation of sleep-related epilepsies by defining that most sleep-related seizures appear to come from the frontal and temporal lobes (25). From these early observations, we have come to understand that sleep has an influence on epileptic seizures and that sleep deprivation can be used as a clinical tool to unveil features of epilepsy.

The potential of improvement in sleep with the treatment of epilepsy was demonstrated by Touchon and colleagues, who showed that the use of carbamazepine reduced the number of arousals and improved sleep efficiency (59). Further research has shown the promise of similar effects with newer agents (34). Multiple authors have shown a corollary that treatment of sleep disordered breathing may help epilepsy. This work has laid the foundation for further work, examining the relationship and clinical impact of improving sleep on epilepsy.

This is an article preview.
Start a Free Account
to access the full version.

  • Nearly 3,000 illustrations, including video clips of neurologic disorders.

  • Every article is reviewed by our esteemed Editorial Board for accuracy and currency.

  • Full spectrum of neurology in 1,200 comprehensive articles.

  • Listen to MedLink on the go with Audio versions of each article.

Questions or Comment?

MedLink®, LLC

3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122

Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400

US Number: +1-619-640-4660

Support: service@medlink.com

Editor: editor@medlink.com

ISSN: 2831-9125