Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nocturnal seizures and the effects of anticonvulsants on sleep

  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects up to 1% of the population. Patients with epilepsy are particularly sensitive to the adverse effects of sleep disruption. Failure to recognize and treat sleep disturbances can lead to worsening of attention, cognitive functioning, and quality of life, and can increase seizures. Anticonvulsant agents have the potential to either improve or worsen sleep and sleep disorders in patients with epilepsy. Therefore, awareness of the implications of sleep disorders and anticonvulsants is critical for the optimal care of patients with epilepsy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Banks S, Dinges DF: Behavioral and physiological consequences of sleep restriction. J Clin Sleep Med 2007, 3:519–528.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ellenbogen JM, Hu PT, Payne JD, et al.: Human relational memory requires time and sleep. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007, 104:7723–7728.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. de Weerd A, de Haas S, Otte A, et al.: Subjective sleep disturbance in patients with partial epilepsy: a questionnaire-based study on prevalence and impact on quality of life. Epilepsia 2004, 45:1397–1404.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Xu X, Brandenburg NA, McDermott AM, Bazil CW: Sleep disturbances reported by refractory partial-onset epilepsy patients receiving polytherapy. Epilepsia 2006, 47:1176–1183.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Crespel A, Baldy-Moulinier M, Coubes P: The relationship between sleep and epilepsy in frontal and temporal lobe epilepsies: practical and physiopathologic considerations. Epilepsia 1998, 39:150–157.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Touchon J, Baldy-Moulinier M, Billiard M, et al.: Organization of sleep in recent temporal lobe epilepsy before and after treatment with carbamazepine [French]. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1987, 143:462–467.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tachibana N, Shinde A, Ikeda A, et al.: Supplementary motor area seizure resembling sleep disorder. Sleep 1996, 19:811–816.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bazil CW, Castro LH, Walczak TS: Reduction of rapid eye movement sleep by diurnal and nocturnal seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy. Arch Neurol 2000, 57:363–368.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Stickgold R, Hobson JA, Fosse R, Fosse M: Sleep, learning, and dreams: off-line memory reprocessing. Science 2001, 294:1052–1057.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bazil CW, Short D, Crispin D, Zheng W: Patients with intractable epilepsy have low melatonin, which increases following seizures. Neurology 2000, 55:1746–1748.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Yalyn O, Arman F, Erdogan F, Kula M: A comparison of the circadian rhythms and the levels of melatonin in patients with diurnal and nocturnal complex partial seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2006, 8:542–546.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Khatami R, Zutter D, Siegel A, et al.: Sleep-wake habits and disorders in a series of 100 adult epilepsy patients—a prospective study. Seizure 2006, 15:299–306.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Malow BA, Bowes RJ, Lin X: Predictors of sleepiness in epilepsy patients. Sleep 1997, 20:1105–1110.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cortesi F, Giannotti F, Ottaviano S: Sleep problems and daytime behavior in childhood idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsia 1999, 40:1557–1565.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Chervin RD, Guilleminault C: Obstructive sleep apnea and related disorders. Neurol Clin 1996, 14:583–609.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Malow BA, Fromes GA, Aldrich MS: Usefulness of polysomnography in epilepsy patients. Neurology 1997, 48:1389–1394.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Beran RG, Plunkett MJ, Holland GJ: Interface of epilepsy and sleep disorders. Seizure 1999, 8:97–102.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Devinsky O, Ehrenberg B, Barthlen GM, et al.: Epilepsy and sleep apnea syndrome. Neurology 1994, 44:2060–2064.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Malow BA, Levy K, Maturen K, Bowes R: Obstructive sleep apnea is common in medically refractory epilepsy patients. Neurology 2000, 55:1002–1007.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Yaggi HK, Concato J, Kernan WN, et al.: Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk factor for stroke and death. N Engl J Med 2005, 353:2034–2041.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Malow BA, Edwards J, Marzec M, et al.: Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on respiration during sleep: a pilot study. Neurology 2000, 55:1450–1454.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Chesson AL Jr, Anderson WM, Littner M, et al.: Practice parameters for the nonpharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine report. Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleep 1999, 22:1128–1133.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Strine TW, Kobau R, Chapman DP, et al.: Psychological distress, comorbidities, and health behaviors among U.S. adults with seizures: results from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey. Epilepsia 2005, 46:1133–1139.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Roth T, Wright KP Jr, Walsh J: Effect of tiagabine on sleep in elderly subjects with primary insomnia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Sleep 2006, 29:335–341.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Jones JE, Hermann BP, Barry JJ, et al.: Clinical assessment of Axis I psychiatric morbidity in chronic epilepsy: a multicenter investigation. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2005, 17:172–179.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Weintraub D, Buchsbaum R, Resor SR Jr, Hirsch LJ: Psychiatric and behavioral side effects of the newer antiepileptic drugs in adults with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2007, 10:105–110.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Lavigne GJ, Montplaisir JY: Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism: prevalence and association among Canadians. Sleep 1994, 17:739–743.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Bixler EO, Kales A, Vela-Bueno A, et al.: Nocturnal myoclonus and nocturnal myoclonic activity in the normal population. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1982, 36:129–140.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Ancoli-Israel S, Kripke DF, Mason W, Kaplan OJ: Sleep apnea and periodic movements in an aging sample. J Gerontol 1985, 40:419–425.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Mosko SS, Dickel MJ, Paul T, et al.: Sleep apnea and sleep-related periodic leg movements in community resident seniors. J Am Geriatr Soc 1988, 36:502–508.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Garcia-Borreguero D, Larrosa O, de la Llave Y, et al.: Treatment of restless legs syndrome with gabapentin: a double-blind, cross-over study. Neurology 2002, 59:1573–1579.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Vignatelli L, Billiard M, Clarenbach P, et al.: EFNS guidelines on management of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder in sleep. Eur J Neurol 2006, 13:1049–1065.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wolf P, Roder-Wanner UU, Brede M: Influence of therapeutic phenobarbital and phenytoin medication on the polygraphic sleep of patients with epilepsy. Epilepsia 1984, 25:467–475.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Hindmarch I, Dawson J, Stanley N: A double-blind study in healthy volunteers to assess the effects on sleep of pregabalin compared with alprazolam and placebo. Sleep 2005, 28:187–193.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Drake ME Jr, Pakalnis A, Bogner JE, Andrews JM: Outpatient sleep recording during antiepileptic drug monotherapy. Clin Electroencephalogr 1990, 21:170–173.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Legros B, Bazil CW: Effects of antiepileptic drugs on sleep architecture: a pilot study. Sleep Med 2003, 4:51–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Placidi F, Diomedi M, Scalise A, et al.: Effect of anticonvulsants on nocturnal sleep in epilepsy. Neurology 2000, 54:S25–S32.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Yang JD, Elphick M, Sharpley AL, Cowen PJ: Effects of carbamazepine on sleep in healthy volunteers. Biol Psychiatry 1989, 26:324–328.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Foldvary N, Perry M, Lee J, et al.: The effects of lamotrigine on sleep in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsia 2001, 42:1569–1573.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Foldvary-Schaefer N, De Leon Sanchez I, Karafa M, et al.: Gabapentin increases slow-wave sleep in normal adults. Epilepsia 2002, 43:1493–1497.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Bazil C, Battista J, Basner R: Gabapentin improves sleep in the presence of alcohol. J Clin Sleep Med 2005, 1:284–287.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Mathias S, Wetter TC, Steiger A, Lancel M: The GABA uptake inhibitor tiagabine promotes slow wave sleep in normal elderly subjects. Neurobiol Aging 2001, 22:247–253.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Walsh JK, Randazzo AC, Frankowski S, et al.: Dose-response effects of tiagabine on the sleep of older adults. Sleep 2005, 28:673–676.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Walsh JK, Randazzo AC, Stone K, et al.: Tiagabine is associated with sustained attention during sleep restriction: evidence for the value of slow-wave sleep enhancement? Sleep 2006, 29:433–443.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Bell C, Vanderlinden H, Hiersemenzel R, et al.: The effects of levetiracetam on objective and subjective sleep parameters in healthy volunteers and patients with partial epilepsy. J Sleep Res 2002, 11:255–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Cicolin A, Magliola U, Giordano A, et al.: Effects of levetiracetam on nocturnal sleep and daytime vigilance in healthy volunteers. Epilepsia 2006, 47:82–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Salinsky MC, Oken BS, Binder LM. Assessment of drowsiness in epilepsy patients receiving chronic antiepileptic drug therapy. Epilepsia 1996, 37:181–187.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Berg AT, Vickrey BG, Sperling MR, et al.: Driving in adults with refractory localization-related epilepsy. Multi-Center Study of Epilepsy Surgery. Neurology 2000, 54:625–630.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Weinger MB, Ancoli-Israel S: Sleep deprivation and clinical performance. JAMA 2002, 287:955–957.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Grantcharov TP, Bardram L, Funch-Jensen P, Rosenberg J: Laparoscopic performance after one night on call in a surgical department: prospective study. BMJ 2001, 323:1222–1223.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Veasey S, Rosen R, Barzansky B, et al.: Sleep loss and fatigue in residency training: a reappraisal. JAMA 2002, 288:1116–1124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Van Dongen HP, Maislin G, Mullington JM, Dinges DF: The cumulative cost of additional wakefulness: doseresponse effects on neurobehavioral functions and sleep physiology from chronic sleep restriction and total sleep deprivation. Sleep 2003, 26:117–126.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Stickgold R, Whidbee D, Schirmer B, et al.: Visual discrimination task improvement: a multi-step process occurring during sleep. J Cogn Neurosci 2000, 12:246–254.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Maquet P: The role of sleep in learning and memory. Science 2001, 294:1048–1052.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Carl W. Bazil

Authors
  1. Carl W. Bazil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carl W. Bazil.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bazil, C.W. Nocturnal seizures and the effects of anticonvulsants on sleep. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 8, 149–154 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-008-0024-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-008-0024-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation