AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT NOCTURNAL FRONTAL LOBE EPILEPSY
Differences between frontal lobe seizures and parasomnias
- Frontal lobe seizures are usually brief events (< 2
minutes), with stereotyped features from seizure to seizure and preserved awareness.
Parasomnias are usually longer in duration (> 10 minutes), have
variable features from event to event and are characterized by a
confusional state with the patient having no memory of the event
afterwards.
- In parasomnias, clustering is rare and the common non-REM
parasomnias typically occur 1-2 hours after falling asleep, in the
first cycle of deep slow wave sleep. Nocturnal frontal lobe seizures
typically occur throughout the night, and more frequently within
half an hour of falling asleep (in hypnogogic states) or shortly
before awakening.