Seizure control with treatment of delayed sleep-wake phase disorder in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: A case report.

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-2023

Abstract

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy associated with a characteristic sleep/wake rhythm, with the tendency to go to bed later at night, to get up later in the morning. In the pediatric population, we have previously observed specific circadian and sleep/wake patterns of generalized seizures (6 am-12 pm) and myoclonic seizures (in wakefulness, 6 am to noon). Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) is characterized by sleep initiation insomnia when attempting sleep at conventional times and difficulty waking at the required time. Here we present the case of a 20-year-old man with JME, diagnosed DSWPD (sleep schedule 3 am to 11 am), presenting with nocturnal seizures out of sleep, always between 5 and 6am. Improvements in seizure control (seizure frequency from 8 per month to 0 per month) were achieved with timed evening melatonin, combined with behavioral sleep-wake scheduling (sleep schedule 10 pm to 6 am) and morning light therapy. Recognition and characterization of DSWPD in JME, together with assessment of circadian and diurnal seizure patterns, may offer therapeutic consideration for better control of seizures.

Volume

23

First Page

100614

Last Page

100614

ISSN

2589-9864

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

37501890

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Faculty, Department of Medicine Fellows and Residents, USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Faculty, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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