Effect of Sleep on Epileptic Discharges in Patients with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

Abstract

Background. It is known that sleep and sleep deprivation affect the EEG findings, onset, frequency and semiology of the seizures. Generalized spike and wave discharges were found more common in drowsiness and sleep states, especially in childhood and juvenile absence epilepsy syndromes. Aim. In this study we aimed to show the effects of short sleep on the interictal and ictal discharges of the patients with genetic generalized epileptic seizures and to show the effects of treatment on the discharges during awake and sleep states. Method. 37 patients (29 females and 8 males) with a diagnosis of genetic generalized epilepsy syndrome were included. All the patients were investigated with video-EEG recording during awake, sleep and post sleep states. Epileptic discharges were counted manually. Discharge numbers and their relation with triggers were analyzed to see the difference between different vigilance states. Results. Number of ictal discharges is found to be increased after sleep. There was no difference in the control EEGs, which were taken under treatment. Conclusion. Sleep is a trigger of epileptic discharges in ictal nature, but an effective antiepileptic treatment prevents this effect.

Keywords: antiepileptic drugs; electroencephalogram (EEG); generalized epilepsy; sleep; wakefulness.