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Sleep and Epilepsy

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Atlas of Sleep Medicine

Abstract

Sleep and epilepsy have a mutual connection. Sleep may activate interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and/or trigger seizures. Comorbid sleep-related disorders which chronically induce sleep fragmentation may worsen seizures frequency. At the same time, IEDs and seizures result in a long-term quali-quantitative disruption of sleep architecture, increasing arousals and infra-hypnic awakenings, and decreasing sleep efficiency, which in turn could facilitate seizures. In addition, many anticonvulsant drugs may affect sleep macrostructure and sleep disorders.

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Nobili, L., Montini, A., Zucconi, M., Chokroverty, S., Provini, F. (2023). Sleep and Epilepsy. In: Thomas, R.J., Bhat, S., Chokroverty, S. (eds) Atlas of Sleep Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34625-5_29

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