Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sleep and Epilepsy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Abstract

Sleep and epilepsy are closely related as they share the same neurobiological cellular mechanisms and the same anatomical circuits. There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy. Seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges can adversely affect sleep organization, and, conversely, sleep deprivation and sleep disorders directly influence the clinical course for children with epilepsy. Epilepsy is common in children, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 1%. It is essential for clinicians caring for children with NDD to be aware of the interrelationship of sleep and epilepsy. By appropriate recognition, evaluation, and treatment of both sleep disorders and epilepsy in children with NDD, it is possible to limit the impact of these comorbidities on daytime functioning for both the child and the family.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

ADNFLE:

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy

AED:

Antiepileptic drugs

BRE:

Benign Rolandic epilepsy

CPAP:

Continuous positive airway pressure

CSWS:

Continuous spike-wave during sleep

DRE:

Drug-resistant epilepsy

EDS:

Excessive daytime sleepiness

EEG:

Electroencephalography

EMU:

Epilepsy monitoring unit

GTC:

Generalized tonic clonic

IED:

Interictal epileptiform discharges

JME:

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

LKS:

Landau-Kleffner syndrome

NDD:

Neurodevelopmental disabilities

NPO:

Nil per os (nothing by mouth)

OSA:

Obstructive sleep apnea

PLMD:

Periodic limb movement disorder

PSG:

Polysomnography

REM:

Rapid eye movements

RLS:

Restless leg syndrome

SE:

Sleep efficiency

SL:

Sleep latency

SUDEP:

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

SWS:

Slow-wave sleep

TST:

Total sleep time

VNS:

Vagus nerve stimulation

WASO:

Wakefulness after sleep onset

References

  1. Cortesi F, Giannotti F, Ottaviano S. Sleep problems and daytime behavior in childhood idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1999;40(11):1557–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Yasuhara A. Correlation between EEG abnormalities and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Brain Dev. 2010;32(10):791–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Cowan LD. The epidemiology of the epilepsies in children. Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2002;8(3):171–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Russ SA, Larson K, Halfon N. A national profile of childhood epilepsy and seizure disorder. Pediatrics. 2012;129(2):256–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Gibbs EL, Gibbs FA. Diagnostic and localizing value of electroencephalographic studies in sleep. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis. 1947;26:366–76.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dinner DS. Effect of sleep on epilepsy. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2002;19(6):504–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sammaritano M, Gigli GL, Gotman J. Interictal spiking during wakefulness and sleep and the localization of foci in temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurology. 1991;41(2(Pt 1)):290–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Sato S, Dreifuss FE, Penry JK. The effect of sleep on spike-wave discharges in absence seizures. Neurology. 1973;23(12):1335–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rowan AJ, Veldhuisen RJ, Nagelkerke NJ. Comparative evaluation of sleep deprivation and sedated sleep EEGs as diagnostic aids in epilepsy. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1982;54(4):357–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Chan S, Baldeweg T, Cross JH. A role for sleep disruption in cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2011;20(3):435–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Sud S, Sadaka Y, Massicotte C, Smith ML, Bradbury L, Go C, et al. Memory consolidation in children with epilepsy: does sleep matter? Epilepsy Behav. 2014;31:176–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Vaughn BV, D’Cruz OF, Beach R, Messenheimer JA. Improvement of epileptic seizure control with treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Seizure. 1996;5(1):73–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Devinsky O, Ehrenberg B, Barthlen GM, Abramson HS, Luciano D. Epilepsy and sleep apnea syndrome. Neurology. 1994;44(11):2060–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Segal E, Vendrame M, Gregas M, Loddenkemper T, Kothare SV. Effect of treatment of obstructive sleep apnea on seizure outcomes in children with epilepsy. Pediatr Neurol. 2012;46(6):359–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Koh S, Ward SL, Lin M, Chen LS. Sleep apnea treatment improves seizure control in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Pediatr Neurol. 2000;22(1):36–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Malow BA, Levy K, Maturen K, Bowes R. Obstructive sleep apnea is common in medically refractory epilepsy patients. Neurology. 2000;55(7):1002–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Oliveira AJ, Zamagni M, Dolso P, Bassetti MA, Gigli GL. Respiratory disorders during sleep in patients with epilepsy: effect of ventilatory therapy on EEG interictal epileptiform discharges. Clin Neurophysiol. 2000;111(Suppl 2):S141–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Touchon J, Baldy-Moulinier M, Billiard M, Besset A, Cadilhac J. Sleep organization and epilepsy. In: Degen R, Rodin EA, editors. Epilepsy, sleep and sleep deprivation. 2nd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1991. p. 73–81.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Foldvary-Schaefer N, Grigg-Damberger M. Sleep and epilepsy. Semin Neurol. 2009;29(4):419–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Larson AM, Ryther RC, Jennesson M, Geffrey AL, Bruno PL, Anagnos CJ, et al. Impact of pediatric epilepsy on sleep patterns and behaviors in children and parents. Epilepsia. 2012;53(7):1162–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Nunes ML, Ferri R, Arzimanoglou A, Curzi L, Appel CC, Costa da Costa J. Sleep organization in children with partial refractory epilepsy. J Child Neurol. 2003;18(11):763–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Stores G, Wiggs L, Campling G. Sleep disorders and their relationship to psychological disturbance in children with epilepsy. Child Care Health Dev. 1998;24(1):5–19.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Foldvary-Schaefer N, Grigg-Damberger M. Sleep and epilepsy: what we know, don’t know, and need to know. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2006;23(1):4–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Foldvary-Schaefer N. Sleep complaints and epilepsy: the role of seizures, antiepileptic drugs and sleep disorders. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2002;19(6):514–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Wassmer E, Carter PF, Quinn E, McLean N, Welsh G, Seri S, et al. Melatonin is useful for recording sleep EEGs: a prospective audit of outcome. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2001;43(11):735–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Wassmer E, Fogarty M, Page A, Johnson K, Quin E, Seri S, et al. Melatonin as a sedation substitute for diagnostic procedures: MRI and EEG. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2001;43(2):136.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Wassmer E, Quinn E, Whitehouse W, Seri S. Melatonin as a sleep inductor for electroencephalogram recordings in children. Clin Neurophysiol. 2001;112(4):683–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Paasch V, Hoosier TM, Accardo J, Ewen JB, Slifer KJ. Technical tips: performing EEGs and polysomnograms on children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Neurodiagn J. 2012;52(4):333–48.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Placidi F, Diomedi M, Scalise A, Marciani MG, Romigi A, Gigli GL. Effect of anticonvulsants on nocturnal sleep in epilepsy. Neurology. 2000;54(5 Suppl 1):S25–32.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Placidi F, Scalise A, Marciani MG, Romigi A, Diomedi M, Gigli GL. Effect of antiepileptic drugs on sleep. Clin Neurophysiol. 2000;111(Suppl 2):S115–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Racaru VM, Cheliout-Heraut F, Azabou E, Essid N, Brami M, Benga I, et al. Sleep architecture impairment in epileptic children and putative role of anti epileptic drugs. Neurol Sci. 2013;34(1):57–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Jain SV, Glauser TA. Effects of epilepsy treatments on sleep architecture and daytime sleepiness: an evidence-based review of objective sleep metrics. Epilepsia. 2014;55(1):26–37.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Zanzmera P, Shukla G, Gupta A, Goyal V, Srivastava A, Garg A, et al. Effect of successful epilepsy surgery on subjective and objective sleep parameters – a prospective study. Sleep Med. 2013;14(4):333–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Nagarajan L, Walsh P, Gregory P, Stick S, Maul J, Ghosh S. Respiratory pattern changes in sleep in children on vagal nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy. Can J Neurol Sci. 2003;30(3):224–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Hallbook T, Lundgren J, Rosen I. Ketogenic diet improves sleep quality in children with therapy-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2007;48(1):59–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Rizzo P, Beelke M, De Carli F, Canovaro P, Nobili L, Robert A, et al. Modifications of sleep EEG induced by chronic vagus nerve stimulation in patients affected by refractory epilepsy. Clin Neurophysiol. 2004;115(3):658–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Rizzo P, Beelke M, De Carli F, Canovaro P, Nobili L, Robert A, et al. Chronic vagus nerve stimulation improves alertness and reduces rapid eye movement sleep in patients affected by refractory epilepsy. Sleep. 2003;26(5):607–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Marzec M, Edwards J, Sagher O, Fromes G, Malow BA. Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on sleep-related breathing in epilepsy patients. Epilepsia. 2003;44(7):930–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Bisulli F, Vignatelli L, Naldi I, Licchetta L, Provini F, Plazzi G, et al. Increased frequency of arousal parasomnias in families with nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: a common mechanism? Epilepsia. 2010;51(9):1852–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Jain SV, Kothare SV. Sleep and epilepsy. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2015;22(2):86–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Derry CP, Duncan JS, Berkovic SF. Paroxysmal motor disorders of sleep: the clinical spectrum and differentiation from epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2006;47(11):1775–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Lopez MR, Cheng JY, Kanner AM, Carvalho DZ, Diamond JA, Wallace DM. Insomnia symptoms in South Florida military veterans with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2013;27(1):159–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Byars AW, Byars KC, Johnson CS, DeGrauw TJ, Fastenau PS, Perkins S, et al. The relationship between sleep problems and neuropsychological functioning in children with first recognized seizures. Epilepsy Behav. 2008;13(4):607–13.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Vendrame M, Yang B, Jackson S, Auerbach SH. Insomnia and epilepsy: a questionnaire-based study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(2):141–6.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Malow BA, Bowes RJ, Lin X. Predictors of sleepiness in epilepsy patients. Sleep. 1997;20(12):1105–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kaleyias J, Cruz M, Goraya JS, Valencia I, Khurana DS, Legido A, et al. Spectrum of polysomnographic abnormalities in children with epilepsy. Pediatr Neurol. 2008;39(3):170–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Giorelli AS, Passos P, Carnaval T, Gomes Mda M. Excessive daytime sleepiness and epilepsy: a systematic review. Epilepsy Res Treat. 2013;2013:629469.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Nashef L. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: terminology and definitions. Epilepsia. 1997;38(11 Suppl):S6–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Devinsky O. Sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(19):1801–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kothare SV, Singh K. Cardiorespiratory abnormalities during epileptic seizures. Sleep Med. 2014;15(12):1433–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Massey CA, Sowers LP, Dlouhy BJ, Richerson GB. Mechanisms of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: the pathway to prevention. Nat Rev Neurol. 2014;10(5):271–82.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Dragos A. Nita & Shelly K. Weiss

Authors
  1. Dragos A. Nita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shelly K. Weiss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shelly K. Weiss .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA

    Jennifer A. Accardo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Nita, D.A., Weiss, S.K. (2019). Sleep and Epilepsy. In: Accardo, J. (eds) Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98414-8_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98414-8_20

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98412-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98414-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation