![]() ![]() More information can be found in our resources on symptoms of narcolepsy and narcolepsy diagnosis and assessment. Some individuals with narcolepsy may not. Narcolepsy is a rare and often disabling hypothalamic disorder that presents with sleepwake dysregulation (excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis and. Formal diagnosis requires staying overnight at a sleep center for an in-depth sleep analysis. Your provider will likely refer you to a sleep specialist. Whilst there are a few neurodevelopmental conditions in which a form of cataplexy may be seen, those conditions are exceedingly rare, and so the occurrence of cataplexy generally makes diagnosis of narcolepsy much more certain. Depending on the individual, cataplexy may be a frequent occurrence or it may just happen once or twice a year. Your health care provider may suspect narcolepsy based on your symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone, known as cataplexy. ![]() When cataplexy is present, it is extremely rare for it to be an isolated symptom – the vast majority of those with typical cataplexy will also have symptoms of narcolepsy. Cataplexy may be most severe when the person with narcolepsy is tired rather than fully alert, and can lead to considerable anxiety. A small portion of cases of narcolepsy without cataplexy are also HLA positive and hypocretin deficient. It is also characterized by a 9095 loss of hypocretin neurons. Typically, cataplexy does not develop for months or even years after the first signs of excessive daytime sleepiness, but in rare cases it is the first observed symptom of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is genetically associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele DQB10602, suggesting the involvement of the immune system. It is thought that about 75% of patients with narcolepsy experience cataplexy. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by disturbed cerebral hypocretin (also called orexin) transmission. Does everyone with narcolepsy have cataplexy? During both mild and severe attacks, the person stays fully conscious. How long does it last?Ĭataplexy attacks generally last less than two minutes, and they may only last a few seconds, though some people have repeated attacks of cataplexy which persist for up to 30 minutes. Speech may be slurred, and eyesight impaired (double vision, inability to focus) but hearing and awareness remain undisturbed. ![]() The loss of muscle tone that occurs may range from a just-perceptible weakening of the facial muscles through weakness at the knees, to total collapse on the floor. Narcolepsy is thought to result from genetic predisposition, abnormal neurotransmitter functioning and sensitivity, and abnormal immune modulation. Narcolepsy is primarily characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Cataplexy is the term given to sudden muscular weakness triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, anger and surprise. Narcolepsy is characterized by the classic tetrad of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. ![]()
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