The role of sleep-related cognitive functions in the spectrum of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

Heterogeneous cognitive deficits have been described in the spectrum of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes, which strongly correlate with the intensity of interictal epileptiform discharges and its spreading, in particular during sleep, mostly within the perisylvian cognitive network. The aim of this review is to discuss current findings regarding the connection between sleep alterations and cognitive function in the spectrum of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes. A longer sleep onset latency is the only evident sleep macrostructure alteration reported in the spectrum of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes. On a microstructural level, a higher spike count of descending compared to ascending slopes of sleep cycles, an impairment of slow wave downscaling, and amplitude and slope of slow waves were found in the spectrum of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes. Moreover, children with benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes had a reduced non-rapid eye movement sleep instability, in terms of cyclic alternating pattern, similar to that found in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and in children with obstructive sleep apnea and centro-temporal spike during sleep. Children with benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes have a known comorbidity with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

Conclusion: Considering the common sleep microstructure alterations, the presence of attention deficit and hyperactivity and/or sleep apnea may be a considered warning sign in the case of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes.