The Association Between Sleep Problems and Attentional Network Functions in Patients with Self-Limited Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes

Purpose: To investigate sleep problems in children with self-limited epilepsy with central temporal spiking (SeLECTS) and to assess the relationship between sleep problems and attention network dysfunction. Patients and methods: 107 children 6–14 years of age with SeLECTS and 90 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. The sleep status of these participants was evaluated using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), while attentional network function was assessed with the attention network function test (ANT). Results: Together, these analyses revealed that children with SeLECTS exhibited higher total CSHQ scores and sleep disorder incidence relative to healthy controls (P< 0.001). Children with SeLECTS had higher scores in delayed sleep onset, sleep duration, night awakenings, parasomnias, daytime sleepiness and sleep anxiety (P<0.01). Total CSHQ scores were negatively correlated with average ANT correct rates ( ρ = −0.253, P<0.01), while they were positively correlated with total reaction time ( ρ =0.367, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with the efficiency of the alerting and executive control networks ( ρ =−0.344 P<0.01; ρ =−0.418 P<0.01). Conclusion: Children with SeLECTS face a higher risk of experiencing sleep disorders relative to age-matched healthy children, while also demonstrating that the magnitude of the impairment of attentional network function in these children is positively correlated with sleep disorder severity. Thus, the prognosis and quality of life of children with SeLECTS can be improved by interventions addressing sleep disorders.