title: Neuropsychological consequences of sleep disturbance in children with epilepsy.
abstract: A growing body of research reveals strong relationships between sleep disturbance, sleep architecture, and neuropsychological functioning in children. Children with epilepsy experience numerous neuropsychological comorbidities, including cognitive deficiencies and emotional/behavioral difficulties; thus, it is reasonable to consider the moderating role of sleep in this population. This review summarizes findings involving the prevalence and characteristics of sleep problems often experienced by children with epilepsy. The complex and bidirectional relationship between sleep and seizure frequency is discussed. Research pertaining to the relationship between sleep disturbance and daytime cognition as well as behavior reveals a substantial association between these variables. Clinically relevant practices related to the assessment and treatment of sleep-related complications are reviewed, and directions for further research involving intervention and assessment are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Campbell Hall 201, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Electronic address: jbeattie@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Julia F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Campbell Hall 201, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Electronic address: sakoch@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Campbell Hall 201, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Electronic address: lbolden@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Lauren B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Bolden
authors.affiliation: Children's Behavioral Health, Children's of Alabama, 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. Electronic address: matthew.thompson@childrensal.org.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000523:psychology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Epilepsy; Neuropsychological comorbidities; Seizures; Sleep