Epilepsy and autonomic dysfunction

This review article focuses on the functional anatomy of the central autono mic nervous system and the autonomic symptoms and dysfunctions occurring wi th epileptogenic activity involving areas of the central autonomic nervous system. Clinical experiences have demonstrated a close relation between epi leptic and central autonomic activity. Autonomic symptoms are frequent sign s of epileptic seizures and may cause dysfunctions in almost every organ sy stem. Cardiorespiratory dysfunction has been described interictually. The increas ed frequency of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients may be relate d to disturbances in cardiac autonomic control. In contrast, electrical vagal stimulation reduces epileptogenic activity by influencing the central autonomic nervous system.