Narcolepsy

Overview

Journal J Clin Neurophysiol

Specialties Neurology
Physiology

Date 1990 Jan 1

PMID 1968069

Citations 25

Authors

M M Mitler

R HAJDUKOVIC

M Erman

J A Koziol

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Narcolepsy is a neurological condition with a prevalence of up to 1 per 1,000 that is characterized by irresistible bouts of sleep. Associated features include the pathological manifestations of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep: cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and abnormal sleep-onset REM periods and disturbed nocturnal sleep. The condition is strongly associated with the HLA-DR2 and DQw1 phenotype. The phenomenology of narcolepsy is discussed, and diagnostic procedures are reviewed. Treatment modalities involving central nervous system stimulants for somnolence and tricyclic drugs for REM-sleep abnormalities are discussed. Sleep laboratory studies on the treatment efficacy of methylphenidate, pemoline, dextroamphetamine, protriptyline, and viloxazine are presented. Data suggest that: (1) methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine objectively improve somnolence; (2) pemoline, at doses up to 112.5 mg, is less effective in controlling somnolence but may improve certain aspects of performance; and (3) protriptyline and viloxazine are effective anticataplectic agents that produce little improvement in somnolence.

Citing Articles

Comparative efficacy of sodium oxybate versus placebo on improvement of nighttime sleep in adult patients with narcolepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Arshad A, Qureshi M, Masood M, Zahoor H, Nazakat A, Fatima A Sleep Med X. 2025; 9():100136.

PMID: 39811427 PMC: 11728066. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleepx.2024.100136.

Recent Insights Into Sleep Paralysis: Mechanisms and Management.

Bhalerao V, Gotarkar S, Vishwakarma D, Kanchan S Cureus. 2024; 16(7):e65413.

PMID: 39184697 PMC: 11344621. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65413.

Lisdexamfetamine to improve excessive daytime sleepiness and weight management in narcolepsy: a case series.

Aguilar A, Frange C, Pimentel Filho L, Reis M, Tufik S, Coelho F Braz J Psychiatry. 2019; 42(3):314-316.

PMID: 31859793 PMC: 7236164. DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0544.

Treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Narcolepsy.

Perez-Carbonell L Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2019; 21(11):57.

PMID: 31713736 DOI: 10.1007/s11940-019-0595-9.

Management Of Excessive Sleepiness In Patients With Narcolepsy And OSA: Current Challenges And Future Prospects.

Sahni A, Carlucci M, Malik M, Prasad B Nat Sci Sleep. 2019; 11:241-252.

PMID: 31695533 PMC: 6815780. DOI: 10.2147/NSS.S218402.

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