Narcolepsy: an interface among neurology, immunology, sleep, and genetics

Narcolepsy is a primary disorder of the central nervous system resulting from genetic, environmental, and immunological interactions defined as excessive daytime sleepiness plus cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and sleep fragmentation. The pathophysiology is not entirely known, but the in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 2024-06, Vol.82 (6), p.1-9
Main Author: Coelho, Fernando Morgadinho Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cataplexy
Cataplexy - diagnosis
Cataplexy - drug therapy
Cataplexy - genetics
Central nervous system
Comorbidade
Comorbidity
Diagnosis
Diagnóstico
Drug therapy
Humans
Hygiene
Narcolepsia
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy - diagnosis
Narcolepsy - drug therapy
Narcolepsy - genetics
Neurology
NEUROSCIENCES
Orexins
Paralysis
PSYCHIATRY
Quality of Life
Sleep
Sleep and wakefulness
Sleep disorders
Stimulants
Terapêutica
Therapeutics
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Summary:Narcolepsy is a primary disorder of the central nervous system resulting from genetic, environmental, and immunological interactions defined as excessive daytime sleepiness plus cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and sleep fragmentation. The pathophysiology is not entirely known, but the interaction among genetic predisposition, environmental exposition, and immune component with consequent hypocretin-1 deficiency is the model to explain narcolepsy type I. The mechanism of narcolepsy type II is less understood. There is a delay of over ten years for the diagnosis of narcolepsy around the world. Patients with narcolepsy have many comorbidities with a negative impact on quality of life. The treatment of narcolepsy must contain an educational approach for the family, coworkers, and patients. Scheduled naps and sleep hygiene are essential to minimize the dose of medications. Much progress has been seen in the pharmacological treatment of narcolepsy with new stimulants, different presentations of oxybate, and recent studies with orexin agonists. Narcolepsy is a rare disease that needs to be more understood and highlighted to avoid delayed diagnosis and severe disabilities in patients.
ISSN:0004-282X
1678-4227
1678-4227
DOI:10.1055/s-0044-1779299