Focal epileptic seizures mimicking sleep paralysis

Epilepsy Behav. 2009 Mar;14(3):562-4. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.12.018. Epub 2009 Jan 20.

Abstract

Sleep paralysis (SP) is a common parasomnia. The diagnostic criteria for SP, as reported in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, are essentially clinical, as electroencephalography (EEG)-polysomnography (PSG) is not mandatory. We describe a subject whose sleep-related events fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SP, even though her visual hallucinations were elementary, repetitive and stereotyped, thus differing from those usually reported by patients with SP. Video/EEG-PSG documented the focal epileptic nature of the SP-like episodes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Partial / diagnosis
  • Epilepsies, Partial / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hallucinations / psychology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Polysomnography
  • Primidone / therapeutic use
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Seizures / psychology*
  • Sleep Paralysis / diagnosis
  • Sleep Paralysis / psychology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Primidone
  • Carbamazepine