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DEVELOPMENTAL AND/OR EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY WITH SPIKE-WAVE ACTIVATION IN SLEEP (DEE-SWAS, EE-SWAS)

Background

The background may be normal or there may be focal, multifocal or diffuse slowing, depending on the etiology. Normal sleep architecture is absent or difficult to distinguish due to epileptiform abnormality in sleep.

Interictal

Slow (1.5–2Hz) spike-wave discharges are markedly activated in non-REM (stage I-III) sleep. They may be seen diffusely, focally (typically frontally) or multifocally.

eeg
Example of continuous spike-wave in sleep.

CAUTION An overnight sleep EEG may be required, as spike-wave activation in sleep may not be seen during brief periods of sleep.

Activation

The EEG is activated in non-REM sleep.

Ictal

The ictal EEG pattern correlates with the seizure type seen.

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