title: Effects of zonisamide as add-on therapy on sleep-wake cycle in focal epilepsy: a polysomnographic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of zonisamide (ZNS) as adjunctive therapy on sleep-wake cycle and daytime somnolence in adult patients affected by focal epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients affected by focal epilepsy were recruited to undergo a 24-hour ambulatory polysomnography, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), and a subjective evaluation of nocturnal sleep by means of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime somnolence by means of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) before and after 3 months of treatment with ZNS as add-on therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients completed the study. Zonisamide therapy reduced seizures by >50% in 8 out of 12 patients. Zonisamide did not induce any significant changes in nocturnal polysomnographic variables and in PSQI scores. In addition, mean sleep latency and ESS score were unmodified after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zonisamide seems to be effective and safe in focal epilepsy. Both subjective and objective sleep parameters showed no detrimental effects on nocturnal sleep and daytime somnolence in patients with focal epilepsy using ZNS. Since some AEDs induce sleep impairment, which is known to trigger EEG abnormalities and seizures and to worsen quality of life, our findings suggest a positive profile of ZNS.
authors: University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Policlinico Tor Vergata, Neurophysiopathology Department, Italy. a_romigi@inwind.it
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Romigi
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Izzi
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Placidi
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Zannino
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Evangelista
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Del Bianco
authors: Massimiliano
authors: M
authors: Copetti
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Vitrani
authors: Nicola Biagio
authors: NB
authors: Mercuri
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Cum
authors: Maria Grazia
authors: MG
authors: Marciani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078305:Zonisamide
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000078305:Zonisamide