Evaluation of the effects of antiepileptic drugs on sleep-wakefulness patterns following 1 night total sleep deprivation in epileptic patients.

Sleep-wakefulness patterns recorded following 1 night total sleep deprivation were studied in 15 normal subjects and in 252 epileptic patients. The patients were taking various types and combinations of antiepileptic medication. Sleep deprivation caused a reduction in sleep latency and an increase in NREM stage 3 + 4 sleep. This effect persisted in patients treated with valproate sodium and/or carbamazepine. In patients treated with diphenylhydantoin light NREM 1 + 2 sleep increased. In those treated with antiepileptics + chlorazepate, both an increase in NREM 1 + 2 and NREM 3 + 4 sleep was seen. The former probably reflects a benzodiazepine effect, the latter is due to a sleep deprivation effect. In patients treated with antiepileptics + clonazepam, a benzodiazepine effect predominated.