The Mutual Interaction Between Sleep and Epilepsy on the Neurobiological Basis and Therapy

Background: Sleep and epilepsy are mutually related in a complex, bidirectional manner. However, our understanding of this relationship remains unclear. Results: The literatures of the neurobiological basis of the interactions between sleep and epilepsy indicate that non rapid eye movement sleep and idiopathic generalized epilepsy share the same thalamocortical networks. Most of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators such as adenosine, melatonin, prostaglandin D2, serotonin, and histamine are found to regulate the sleep-wake behavior and also considered to have antiepilepsy effects; antiepileptic drugs, in turn, also have effects on sleep. Furthermore, many drugs that regulate the sleep-wake cycle can also serve as potential antiseizure agents. The nonpharmacological management of epilepsy including ketogenic diet, epilepsy surgery, neurostimulation can also influence sleep. Conclusion: In this paper, we address the issues involved in these phenomena and also discuss the various therapies used to modify them.