Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Epilepsy

This chapter provides an overview of the field of sleep and epilepsy and provides a guide to help clinicians navigate through the most common issues related to sleep, sleep disorders and epilepsy. It begins with a review of the epidemiology of sleep-related seizures and epilepsies, essentials of sleep and circadian physiology for the epileptologist, then reviews the pathophysiology and mechanisms of interictal spiking and seizure activation during sleep, the common sleep-related epilepsies, and the differential diagnosis of other nocturnal events. The chapter covers the approach to diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related epilepsies and of common sleep comorbidities in the epilepsies, and the intimate relationship between sleep and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Early recognition of sleep comorbidities can help in improving seizure burden, alertness, quality of life and daytime functioning.