Narcolepsy is a disease that involves an alteration in the generation and organisation of sleep. The main symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, followed by hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and disrupted nocturnal sleep. The prevalence of typical narcolepsy oscillates between 25-50: 100.000 in general. Recently there has been a peak incidence in patients born in the month of March. According to the new classification, the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is mandatory for diagnosing narcolepsy without cataplexy, and advisable for diagnosing narcolepsy with cataplexy. Until now, the attempt has been made to control each symptom by its own specific treatment. At present, new American and European treatment guidelines propose new drugs that act on all the symptoms. The application of new criteria of diagnosis and treatment has improved the diagnosis, giving better options of treatment.
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Front Pediatr
January 2025
Department of Medical Psychology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Narcolepsy is a sleep-wake disorder with an onset commonly seen in individuals aged 10-30 years. Due to various reasons, the diagnosis of narcolepsy often experiences a delay of at least ten years. Diagnosing narcolepsy in children is particularly challenging due to atypical symptoms, leading to frequent misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Sleep Med
December 2024
Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a clinical syndrome defined by recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), episodes of cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Symptoms typically manifest in the second or third decade with another small peak in the fourth decade. In this report we describe the case of a 64-year-old woman presenting with new-onset visual hallucinations as the main complaint.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Sleep Med
December 2024
Sleep Disorders & Research Center, Department of Sleep Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI.
Study Objectives: Here we report our experience treating patients with narcolepsy using benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BzRA), zolpidem (Zol) or eszopiclone (Esz) taken at bedtime for both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy.
Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 53 patients diagnosed with narcolepsy, between 2002 and 2023. Twenty-three patients, 8 with type1 (NT1), 13 with type 2 (NT2) and 2 with secondary narcolepsy, were treated with BzRA's (20 Zol and 3 Esz).
J Clin Sleep Med
December 2024
Patient advocate.
Study Objectives: This study examined the impact of central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDH) on family members of adult patients, the ways family members assist with managing CDH, and family members' utilization and satisfaction with information and support.
Methods: Participants were adults (N=100) with an adult family member diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia or narcolepsy. They completed a survey which included the Family Reported Outcome Measure (FROM-16), checklists, satisfaction ratings, and open-response questions.
Psychopharmacol Bull
January 2025
Abhishek Reddy, MD, Assistant Professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States.
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