title: Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: new pathophysiological interpretations.
abstract: Since the first descriptions of Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy (NFLE) many theories have been proposed to explain its pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this paper is to formulate a tentative hypothesis designed to unify the clinical, anatomo-physiological, and genetic aspects underlying this condition. According to this hypothesis, NFLE is due to a disorder in the thalamocortical circuit involved in the arousal mechanism. Other cortical-networks involving the limbic system may explain, for instance, primitive behaviors. The role of the cholinergic system and related pathways in the pathogenesis of nocturnal seizures and parasomnias is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche, University of Bologna, Via Ugo Foscolo 7, 40123 Bologna, Italy. paolo.tinuper@unibo.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tinuper
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bisulli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Provini
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montagna
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lugaresi
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D017034:Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D020447:Parasomnias / Q000503:physiopathology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic