[Effect of awakening and sleep deprivation in triggering idiopathic generalized epilepsy]

The facilitating effect of awakening and sleep deprivation on seizure production and EEG abnormalities is characteristic of idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE). This effect is particularly patent in awakening epilepsy. Paroxysmal events occurring in non-REM sleep, related to spindle production during transitional periods or awakening are characteristic of IGE. Because IGEs are particularly sensitive to sleep, sleep deprivation, and awakening, the association of these three conditions is particularly helpful in exploration protocols, especially when no wakefulness abnormalities are seen on the EEG. These observations in IGE suggest a dysfunction of awakening control systems. Awakening epilepsies may be differentiated from sleep-induced seizures observed in other IGE and in partial epilepsies.