Strange episodes during sleep - epilepsy or parasomnia?

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2024 Mar 7;144(4). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0579. Print 2024 Mar 19.
[Article in English, Norwegian]

Abstract

In some forms of epilepsy, the seizures occur almost exclusively during sleep. This is particularly the case with hypermotor frontal lobe seizures. Clinically it can be difficult to distinguish such seizures from parasomnias and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. This clinical review article aims to highlight the importance of making the correct diagnosis, as these conditions require completely different treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe* / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Parasomnias* / diagnosis
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Sleep