γ-Hydroxybutyric acid-induced electrographic seizures.

Abstract

We describe a case of absence-like electrographic seizures during NREM sleep in a patient who was taking sodium oxybate, a sodium salt of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). An overnight full montage electroencephalography (EEG) study revealed numerous frontally predominant rhythmic 1.5-2 Hz sharp waves and spike-wave activity during stage N2 and N3 sleep at the peak dose time for sodium oxybate, resembling atypical absence-like electrographic seizures. The patient was later weaned off sodium oxybate, and a repeat study did not show any such electrographic seizures. Absence-like seizures induced by GHB had previously been described in experimental animal models. We present the first reported human case of absence-like electrographic seizure associated with sodium oxybate.

• Authors: Joseph Cheung, Brendan P Lucey, Stephen P Duntley, Rachel S Darken
• Journal: Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (J Clin Sleep Med) Vol. 10 Issue 7 Pg. 811-2 (Jul 15 2014) ISSN: 1550-9397 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25024661 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics
• Hydroxybutyrates
• 4-hydroxybutyric acid
• Sodium Oxybate

Topics

• Adult
• Anesthetics (adverse effects)
• Electroencephalography (drug effects)
• Epilepsy, Absence (chemically induced)
• Humans
• Hydroxybutyrates (adverse effects)
• Male
• Sodium Oxybate (adverse effects)