Why Are Seizures Rare in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep? Review of the Frequency of Seizures in Different Sleep Stages
Joint Authors
Source
Epilepsy Research and Treatment
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-06-18
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Since the formal characterization of sleep stages, there have been reports that seizures may preferentially occur in certain phases of sleep.
Through ascending cholinergic connections from the brainstem, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is physiologically characterized by low voltage fast activity on the electroencephalogram, REMs, and muscle atonia.
Multiple independent studies confirm that, in REM sleep, there is a strikingly low proportion of seizures (~1% or less).
We review a total of 42 distinct conventional and intracranial studies in the literature which comprised a net of 1458 patients.
Indexed to duration, we found that REM sleep was the most protective stage of sleep against focal seizures, generalized seizures, focal interictal discharges, and two particular epilepsy syndromes.
REM sleep had an additional protective effect compared to wakefulness with an average 7.83 times fewer focal seizures, 3.25 times fewer generalized seizures, and 1.11 times fewer focal interictal discharges.
In further studies REM sleep has also demonstrated utility in localizing epileptogenic foci with potential translation into postsurgical seizure freedom.
Based on emerging connectivity data in sleep, we hypothesize that the influence of REM sleep on seizures is due to a desynchronized EEG pattern which reflects important connectivity differences unique to this sleep stage.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Ng, Marcus& Pavlova, Milena. 2013. Why Are Seizures Rare in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep? Review of the Frequency of Seizures in Different Sleep Stages. Epilepsy Research and Treatment،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-509319
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Ng, Marcus& Pavlova, Milena. Why Are Seizures Rare in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep? Review of the Frequency of Seizures in Different Sleep Stages. Epilepsy Research and Treatment No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-509319
American Medical Association (AMA)
Ng, Marcus& Pavlova, Milena. Why Are Seizures Rare in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep? Review of the Frequency of Seizures in Different Sleep Stages. Epilepsy Research and Treatment. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-509319
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-509319