Central Pattern Generators for a common semiology in fronto-limbic seizures and in parasomnias. A neuroethologic approach

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are geneticallydetermined neuronal aggregates in the mesencephalon,pons and spinal cord subserving innate motor behavioursessential for survival (feeding, locomotion, reproductionetc.). In higher primates CPGs are largely under neocorticalcontrol. We describe how certain motor events observedin parasomnias and epileptic seizures could have similarfeatures and resemble motor behaviours, which can be theexpression of the same CPG. Both epilepsy and sleep canlead to a temporary loss of control of neomammalian cortexthat facilitates through a common platform (arousal) theemergences of stereotyped inborn fixed action patterns.Therefore we suggest that, independently from the natureof the trigger, be it a seizure or a parasomnia, the sameCPGs can be involved, “caught up”, leading to a commonmotor semiology (the “Carillon theory”).