We all know that we think more clearly, react more quickly, and generally perform better after a good night's sleep. And while a good night’s sleep plays a key role in the overall well-being and health of all people it is even more vital in people with epilepsy. One reason why is because a lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep can in turn increase frequency of seizures. The reasons why sleep deprivation provokes seizures are unclear. However, what we do know is that the sleep-wake cycle is associated with prominent changes in brain electrical activity, so seizures and the sleep-wake cycle are often clearly related. We also know that most types of seizures are affected by sleep, although the degree varies greatly from type to type and patient to patient. Further, there are hormonal changes during sleep that could possibly be related to seizures. Finally, the effects of seizures and seizure medicines on the quality of your sleep can make the relationship even more complicated. In this section we will explore all the different aspects of the sleep-epilepsy connection. Let’s get started with an introductory look at how sleep and epilepsy are connected.

Topic Editor: Carl Bazil, M.D.
Last Reviewed:10/01/05