title: Focal epileptic seizures mimicking sleep paralysis.
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.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Centre, IRCCS C. Mondino Institute of Neurology Foundation, Via Mondino, 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. carloandrea.galimberti@mondino.it
authors.forename: Carlo Andrea
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Galimberti
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ossola
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colnaghi
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arbasino
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D011324:Primidone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D020188:Sleep Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011324:Primidone; D002220:Carbamazepine