Treatment of sleep disorders in epilepsy

The interrelationship of sleep and epilepsy is described. Seizures and their treatment, including antiepileptic medications, may affect sleep. In turn, sleep disorders may influence seizure control and contribute to daytime sleepiness in epilepsy patients. Parasomnias and other sleep-related disorders may mimic epileptic seizures, although the history and video-EEG polysomnography are often useful in distinguishing these events. The treatment of epilepsy patients with sleep disorders or sleep complaints, such as sleepiness or insomnia, is discussed. Diagnosis and treatment of coexisting sleep disorders may improve not only daytime sleepiness, but also seizure control. Sedating AEDs may benefit epilepsy patients with insomnia, and stimulating AEDs may benefit epilepsy patients with daytime sleepiness.