Sleep is associated with reduction of epileptiform discharges in benign adult familial myoclonus epilepsy.

To clarify the effects of sleep on cortical irritability in benign adult familial myoclonus epilepsy (BAFME), we retrospectively compared epileptiform discharges of electroencephalographies (EEGs) between awake and sleep periods in 5 patients (mean age: 49.6 ± 20.3 years). We also analyzed polysomnography (PSG) of 1 patient. Epileptiform discharges were significantly more frequent during the awake period (1.3 ± 1.2/min) than those during light sleep stages (0.02 ± 0.04/min) (P < 0.05). Regarding PSG analysis, epileptiform discharges were also reduced during all sleep stages compared to those during awake periods. Our study suggests a relative reduction in cortical irritability during sleep in BAFME.