Epileptic nocturnal wanderings with a temporal lobe origin: a stereo-electroencephalographic study

Sleep. 2002 Sep 15;25(6):669-71.

Abstract

To show the results of the exploration conducted with intracerebral electrodes in a patients affected by epileptic nocturnal wanderings (ENWs).

Method: The patient was investigated with long-term video-stereo-electroencephalographic (SEEG) monitoring by means of stereotactically introduced intracerebral electrodes.

Results: We recorded four nocturnal seizures with typical features of ENWs. The SEEG ictal recordings demonstrated a well-localized initial discharge always confined to the right temporal structures with secondary spread to the cingulate regions.

Discussion: Together with paroxysmal arousals and nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia, ENWs has been considered as a manifestation of the nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Our investigation and the result of surgical outcome in this patient indicate that in some cases such episodes could have a temporal-lobe origin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Somnambulism / physiopathology*
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Video Recording