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Paroxysmal Motor Disorders of Sleep: The Clinical Spectrum and Differentiation from Epilepsy
Author(s) -
Derry Christopher P.,
Duncan John S.,
Berkovic Samuel F.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00631.x
Subject(s) - non rapid eye movement sleep , epilepsy , polysomnography , psychology , electroencephalography , arousal , sleep (system call) , eye movement , movement disorders , audiology , frontal lobe , sleep disorder , neuroscience , psychiatry , medicine , insomnia , disease , computer science , operating system
Summary: The diagnosis of paroxysmal events in sleep represents a significant challenge for the clinician, with the distinction of nocturnal epilepsy from nonepileptic sleep disorders often the primary concern. Diagnostic error or uncertainty is not uncommon in this situation, particularly with respect to nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE), which has a variable and often unusual presentation. Such errors can be minimized if the range of nonepileptic disorders with motor activity in sleep is fully appreciated. Here we review these disorders, before discussing the important clinical and electrographic features that allow their accurate differentiation from seizures. Particular emphasis is placed on the differentiation of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy from non–rapid eye movement (NREM) arousal disorders and other parasomnias. The value of recording episodes with video EEG polysomnography is discussed.