![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The polysomnogram continuously records brain waves during sleep, as well as a number of nerve and muscle functions during nighttime sleep. Stanford Sleep Specialists use two main tests to diagnose narcolepsy: the nocturnal polysomnogram and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). A general medical check up excluding anemia, hypothyroidism, heart or other general medical issues is essential. It requires excluding carefully insufficient sleep (sleep deprivation), disturbed nocturnal sleep, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-related breathing (sleep apnea) disorders and psychiatric disorders. However, if sleep attacks are isolated and there is only mild or no cataplexy, making a correct diagnosis is more challenging. If all the common symptoms of narcolepsy are present, diagnosing the disorder is fairly straightforward. In most cases of narcolepsy without cataplexy (and in rare cases with cataplexy), the cause of the symptoms is unclear and the diagnostic is purely based on the result of an abnormal sleep test called the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). Visit the Center for Narcolepsy for more details. In most cases of narcolepsy with cataplexy (and in rare cases without cataplexy), all the symptoms are caused by the loss of approximately 70,000 brain cells producing a chemical called hypocretin, a finding made at Stanford University. The cause of narcolepsy with and without cataplexy Obesity – Many patients with narcolepsy also gain weight as the result of inactivity and sleepiness. ![]() Nighttime eating and excessive dreaming with motor activity (acting out dreams, see also REM sleep Behavior Disorder) also frequently occur. Patients often do fall asleep rapidly but are unable to stay asleep for more than a few hours at a time. Hypnagogic hallucinations – vivid, sometimes disturbing dreamlike experiences that occur while dozing, falling asleep and/or upon awakening.Īutomatic behavior – a person continues to function or talk while being half asleep, and awakens with no memory of doing these activities.ĭifficulties maintaining sleep – Nighttime sleep is disturbed. Sleep paralysis - the temporary inability to talk or move when waking it may last a few seconds to minutes. Cataplexy is a cardinal symptom as it almost always indicates that the cause of the narcolepsy is a lack of hypocretin in the brain. While cataplexy can manifest as something as minor as a slight slackening of the facial muscles, in extreme cases, a person may experience total collapse or even muscle paralysis. Food and Drug Administration.Beside excessive daytime sleepiness, patients may display the following symptoms:Ĭataplexy – a sudden weakening of the muscles, often triggered by a strong emotion. Other symptoms can include cataplexy, which is a sudden loss in muscle tone triggered by strong emotion. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes daily periods of excessive daytime sleepiness. The most common adverse reactions to Wakix, occurring in 5 percent of adults or more, were insomnia, nausea, and anxiety. Harmony reports that Wakix is the first and only treatment approved by the FDA for people with excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy associated with narcolepsy that is not scheduled as a controlled substance by the U.S. It has been commercially available in the U.S. Wakix is administered orally, once daily after waking up in the morning. It works through a novel mechanism of action to increase the synthesis and release of histamine, a wake-promoting neurotransmitter in the brain. About WakixĪccording to Harmony, Wakix is a selective histamine 3 (H₃) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist. The FDA previously approved Wakix for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in adult patients with narcolepsy. Food and Drug Administration has approved Wakix (pitolisant) for the treatment of cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy. Guiding Principles for Industry Support.Young Investigators Research Forum (YIRF).Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP).Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants (APRN PA). ![]()
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