The effect of sleep deprivation on the rate of focal interictal epileptiform discharges.

Eight men with complex partial seizures who had frequent focal interictal epileptiform discharges (FIEDs) during routine EEGs were selected for all-night EEG recording before, and after 36 h of sleep deprivation. After sleep deprivation 6 of 8 patients showed increased FIEDs. The pooled mean number of FIEDs was greatest during light non-REM stages of sleep, especially stage II. Thus sleep deprivation is an effective activation method in medicated patients with complex partial seizures. However, a significant activation requires recording stage II sleep after sleep deprivation.