Alpha-delta sleep pattern in an acute functional neurological patient with no perception of sleep

Functional neurological disorders are characterized by neurologic symptoms not consistent with a primary neurologic pathology. Although neurological disorders are commonly associated with poor sleep, alpha intrusion of slow-wave sleep is not described in cases of functional neurological disorder. We describe a case demonstrating an alpha-delta sleep pattern in a patient presenting with a functional neurological disorder and no perception of sleep. Although alpha-delta sleep is more commonly associated with fibromyalgia, this pattern may be a potential biomarker for the physiology of sleep misperception and potentially functional neurologic symptoms disorder. It is important to recognize this pattern via close sleep electroencephalogram or spectral analysis for patients with concerning clinical histories.

Christian F, Pollak A, Sullivan L. Alpha-delta sleep pattern in an acute functional neurological patient with no perception of sleep. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(6):1711-1715.