Failure of naloxone to modify electroencephalogram interictal epileptiform discharges in patients with primary generalized epilepsy after slation.
Sleep deprivation (SD) is a method widely used to activate EEG epilept oform activity, but the basis of this effect remains unknown. One possibilty is that SD shares a common mechanism with physical and psychological stresses that also precipitate seizures. Because endogenous opioids are released during stress, opioids may play a role in enhancing epileptiform EEG patterns after SD. We report the effects of SD on EEG epileptiform activity in a small but highly homogeneous population of 13 epileptic patients with idiopathic (primary) generalized epilepsy (IGE). SD increased EEG interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs); this activation was not modified by naloxone (NAL). Our results, in contrast to those of previous investigations of localization-related epilepsy, which showed an increase in IEDs after NAL administration, suggest a possible difference in the mechanism whereby SD enhances IEDs in IGE and localization-related epilepsy.
Marrosu
F
F
Institute of Neurology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Giagheddu
M
M
Fratta
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation
D004723:Endorphins; D009270:Naloxone