You turn off the lights, find a comfortable position, and close your eyes. On average, the process of falling asleep takes no more than 15-30 minutes. While we lie still in bed, several structures in our brain are at work:
Can insomnia lead to epilepsy? Researchers have discovered how working night shifts impacts the brain.
Night is a time for silence and rest. However, for many, it serves as a period of heightened productivity. Some are compelled to work the night shift, while others find themselves creatively inspired under the starlight, unable to sleep. Regardless of the reason, studies are increasingly highlighting the downsides of the "nightlife."
https://www.techinsider.ru/science/1670313-bessonnica-privodit-k-epilepsii-uchenye-vyyasnili-kak-rabota-po-nocham-vliyaet-na-mozg/2024-12-19 08:19:35
We explain why disruptions in biological clocks increase the risk of developing epilepsy. 
Location of the hypothalamus in the brainWikiCommons Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world. It is characterized by "seizures" or "fits," during which there is a surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Not quantity, but quality: how does the brain know when to sleep?
- The tiny region known as the hypothalamus acts as a sort of "dispatch center": thousands of nerve cells receive signals from the eyes (about light or darkness) and literally "tell" the body when it's time to sleep.
- The brainstem (the "bridge" between the brain and spinal cord) helps control the transitions between sleep and wakefulness. It produces GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) — a substance that slows down brain activity. Additionally, the brainstem is responsible for muscle relaxation.
- The pineal gland produces melatonin, which aids in falling asleep (and regulates our circadian rhythms).
If we don’t sleep at night or go to bed late, our biological clocks get disrupted. The hypothalamus misreads the signals of day and night. This complicates the process of falling asleep and disrupts the production of GABA.
Location of the hypothalamus in the brainWikiCommons New research: how working nights affects the development of epilepsy
Neurosurgeons from a hospital in Shandong Province, China, investigated whether there is a connection between nighttime wakefulness and the occurrence of epileptic seizures. The researchers analyzed data from over 270,000 people, both with and without epilepsy. They turned to the UK Biobank — the largest biomedical database. In addition to participant feedback on sleep quality, the nature of night work was also considered. To assess the risks of developing neurological diseases, the scientists used Cox regression. This statistical method helps determine how various factors (such as age, gender, or smoking) influence the likelihood of an event occurring.
What the results showed
It turned out that "regular/constant" night shifts and poor sleep quality are directly associated with an increased risk of developing epilepsy (a coefficient of 1.29). This value is slightly lower for individuals with unhealthy sleep durations (less than seven or more than eight hours a day), as well as for those suffering from insomnia or experiencing daytime sleepiness.
However, the authors point out some limitations:
- The researchers were unable to establish a causal relationship between night work and the risk of epilepsy;
- Information regarding the demographics, lifestyle, and sleep quality indicators was collected over 13.5 years and may have changed during the observation period;
- The researchers did not consider other factors: the presence of traumatic brain injuries, genetic predispositions, and rare neurological conditions;
These results should not be taken literally. Nevertheless, to reduce the risk of developing neurological diseases, it is advisable to follow some simple rules: use blackout curtains, ensure a comfortable room temperature, regularly test hormone levels and biochemistry, and monitor magnesium and vitamin D levels.