
Unraveling the Mysteries of Exploding Head Syndrome: A Narrative Review
Correspondence Address :
Smit Firke,
Undergraduate Student, Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha-442004, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: smitfrk@gmail.com
Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS) is a rare parasomnia characterised by the perception of loud, abrupt auditory hallucinations during sleep-wake transitions. Even though EHS is not associated with any physical pathology, it may cause substantial sleep disturbances and interruptions. To address these questions, the present narrative review synthesises the current knowledge and consensus on the nature of EHS, including its symptoms and possible causes, existing classification systems, and available interventions. Other frequent complaints include rhythmic noises in the ears, difficulty seeing and somatic sensations, such as electrical buzzing in the head. Stress or anxiety may potentially precede an episode, and dysfunction in the brainstem reticular formation and mild temporal lobe seizures have been suggested as possible neurological causes. EHS falls under the category of parasomnias within the International Classification of Sleep Disorders Third edition (ICSD-3) and is classified as an unspecified sleep-wake disorder under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth edition (DSM-5). Current intervention strategies are still scarce; while topiramate has been shown to lessen the intensity of symptoms, no trials on this possibility have been conducted so far. Education and reassurance may be useful in alleviating these symptoms. More studies are required to increase knowledge about the underlying processes and to establish specific therapeutic strategies. The present review alerts readers to the growing evidence for EHS, which remains a condition that is not frequently identified, and urges investigators to conduct randomised controlled therapeutic trials.
Auditory hallucinations, Parasomnias, Psychological stress, Temporal lobe seizures, Sleep disorders, Sleep-wake transition
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2025/74524.20723
Date of Submission: Jul 26, 2024
Date of Peer Review: Oct 24, 2024
Date of Acceptance: Nov 12, 2024
Date of Publishing: Mar 01, 2025
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? NA
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Jul 27, 2024
• Manual Googling: Oct 26, 2024
• iThenticate Software: Nov 09, 2024 (9%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
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