The relationship between sleep and epilepsy

The relationship between epilepsy and sleep has been known since ancient times, but it is still not very well understood because of the multiple aspects involved in its analysis, as well as its reciprocal and intrinsic influences. Currently, growing acknowledgement is given to the importance of epileptic manifestations during sleep, the relationship between sleep and the quality of life in patients with epilepsy and the relevance of primary sleep pathologies on seizure control.

The modulating effects of sleep on epileptic activity in focal and generalized epilepsies are reviewed and summarized, as well as the effects of the different sleep stages and their value in lateralization and focalization of partial epilepsies, the effects of epileptic activity on sleep structure, the consequences of sleep deprivation, the effects of antiepileptic drugs on sleep, as well the effects of primary sleep disorders on epileptic activity and sleep quality in patients with epilepsy.

To have further knowledge of the existing relationship between epilepsy and sleep can not only aid a more expeditious diagnosis of epilepsy, but better characterize it in the context of specific diagnoses. By considering associated sleep disorders, such as the sleep apnea syndrome or insomnia, the physician can prescribe antiepileptic drugs to optimize sleep patterns, which may result not only in the better control of seizures, but also in a better quality of life for patients.