Epilepsy and autonomic dysfunction

This review article focuses on the functional anatomy of the central autonomic nervous system and the autonomic symptoms and dysfunctions occurring with epileptogenic activity involving areas of the central autonomic nervous system. Clinical experiences have demonstrated a close relation between epileptic and central autonomic activity. Autonomic symptoms are frequent signs of epileptic seizures and may cause dysfunctions in almost every organ system. Cardiorespiratory dysfunction has been described interictually. The increased frequency of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients may be related to disturbances in cardiac autonomic control. In contrast, electrical vagal stimulation reduces epileptogenic activity by influencing the central autonomic nervous system.