Dissociative Symptoms are Highly Prevalent in Adults with Narcolepsy Type 1.

Introduction: The core symptoms of narcolepsy such as excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy are well known. However, there is mounting evidence for a much broader symptom spectrum, including psychiatric symptoms. Disordered sleep has previously been linked with dissociative symptoms, which may imply that patients with narcolepsy are more prone to develop such symptoms.

Is fatigue a disease-specific or generic symptom in chronic medical conditions?

Objective: Severe fatigue is highly prevalent in various chronic diseases. Disease-specific fatigue models have been developed, but it is possible that fatigue-related factors in these models are similar across diseases. The purpose of the current study was to determine the amount of variance in fatigue severity explained by: (a) the specific disease, (b) factors associated with fatigue across different chronic diseases (transdiagnostic factors), and (c) the interactions between these factors and specific diseases.

Severe fatigue in narcolepsy with cataplexy.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the core symptom of narcolepsy. However, there have been indications that fatigue - which should be separated from EDS--is also a frequent complaint. We determined the prevalence of severe fatigue in a group of narcolepsy patients and its relation with excessive daytime sleepiness, psychological distress, functional impairment and quality of life.

Diurnal spectral EEG fluctuations in narcoleptic patients during rest and reaction time tasks.

Narcolepsy is associated with lowered vigilance. Diurnal variation in vigilance appears altered, but the exact nature of this change is unclear. It was hypothesized that the homeostatic sleep drive is increased in narcolepsy.

Effects of PhD examination stress on allopregnanolone and cortisol plasma levels and peripheral benzodiazepine receptor density.

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) density in blood platelets and plasma allopregnanolone concentration in humans were determined following acute stress as represented by PhD examination. Fifteen healthy PhD students participated. Heart rate, blood pressure, plasma allopregnanolone, plasma cortisol, and PBR density were measured at different time points.