A study done at the University of Michigan revealed that a third or more epilepsy patents also have sleep apnea. Anything that causes disturbed sleep also has an adverse effect on the brain. Sleep apnea does disrupt sleep and this causes excessive daytime sleepiness, an inability to concentrate and headaches.
If, however, the person also has epilepsy, then the sleep disruption can bring on a seizure. The coexistence of epilepsy and apnea suggests a link between the parts of the brain that are affected by epilepsy and the parts that control breathing.
This connection between sleep apnea and epilepsy was first documented by Beth Malow, M.D., M.S. and the late Michael Aldrich, M.D. of the neurology department at the University of Michigan. It is hoped that treating sleep apnea will also help to lessen the frequency of epileptic seizures.
Further proof of some connection between epilepsy and sleep apnea is the increased frequency of breathing problems in people using the ]Vagus Nerve Stimulator. This is a method of treatment used for people who do not respond satisfactorily to drug therapy.
Although the breathing problems appeared small and not harmful, obviously some connection does exist. Patients monitored overnight for airflow and blood oxygen demonstrated far more decreased breathing spells and interruptions when using the stimulator. The majority of epilepsy patients who also suffered from breathing problems were older males.
The vagus nerve is the longest of the cranial nerve, stretching from the brain stem through organs in the neck, thorax and abdomen.
Stimulation of this nerve seems to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy patients. The vagus nerve stimulator works from an implanted battery using wires to send electrical pulses along the nerve.
The stimulator is used by more than 8000 people in America and Europe. That number may increase. The vagus nerve stimulator is now being tested for treating depression and in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. For people who are thinking of trying this method of therapy, a sleep study should be a preliminary step. The vagus nerve stimulator received FDA approval in 1997.
