NARCOLEPSY

By Jane Woo

What is Narcolepsy?

Discovered in 1880Discovered in 1880

Jean-Baptiste-Édouard GélineauJean-Baptiste-Édouard Gélineau

Irregular pattern of sleep; people suffering from it Irregular pattern of sleep; people suffering from it fall asleep suddenly during the daytime, brain is fall asleep suddenly during the daytime, brain is not able to regulate proper sleep-wake cyclesnot able to regulate proper sleep-wake cycles

In most cases, sleep is physically irresistibleIn most cases, sleep is physically irresistible

Strikes at inappropriate or even dangerous situations, Strikes at inappropriate or even dangerous situations, i.e. at school or while drivingi.e. at school or while driving

Cause irregular REM and NREM patternsCause irregular REM and NREM patterns

http://nevillesgarden.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/narcolepsy.jpgTo a narcoleptic person, the urge for To a narcoleptic person, the urge for

sleep is often times physically sleep is often times physically irresistableirresistable

Cont’d

Irregular REM patterns can lead toIrregular REM patterns can lead to

Inability to sleep at night (like insomnia)Inability to sleep at night (like insomnia)

Constant fatigueConstant fatigue

REM plays a role in preserving memory and is related to REM plays a role in preserving memory and is related to intelligence; narcolepsy may produce consequences for intelligence; narcolepsy may produce consequences for that processthat process

Other symptomsOther symptoms

CATAPLEXY: when the body suddenly loses control over CATAPLEXY: when the body suddenly loses control over the muscles of the body, ranges from slight loss of the muscles of the body, ranges from slight loss of control to complete body collapse control to complete body collapse

http://www.directopedia.org/onTEAM/wiki/img/8/http://www.directopedia.org/onTEAM/wiki/img/8/Narcoleptic_Minute_006_0001.jpgNarcoleptic_Minute_006_0001.jpg

A teenager suffering from narcolepsy.A teenager suffering from narcolepsy.

Cont’d

Sleep paralysis: inability to move at all while falling Sleep paralysis: inability to move at all while falling asleep or waking up; person is usually awake during asleep or waking up; person is usually awake during this processthis process

Hypnagogic Hallucinations: Vivid dreams/images that Hypnagogic Hallucinations: Vivid dreams/images that suddenly occur while dozing off, usually frighteningsuddenly occur while dozing off, usually frightening

There is no complete cure for narcolepsy as of yetThere is no complete cure for narcolepsy as of yet

Must be treated with drugs for life Must be treated with drugs for life

Cont’d

Research has led to the prime culprit of Research has led to the prime culprit of narcolepsynarcolepsy

Deficiency of HYPOCRETIN, a chemical in the Deficiency of HYPOCRETIN, a chemical in the brainbrain

Cures such as nasal spray are being testedCures such as nasal spray are being tested

Narcolepsy is spontaneous and sudden, and can often happen Narcolepsy is spontaneous and sudden, and can often happen at the most inconvenient times.at the most inconvenient times.

http://www.megbiddle.com/images/commercial/Narcolepsy.jpghttp://www.megbiddle.com/images/commercial/Narcolepsy.jpg

Bibliography

http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-narcolepsy-ess.htmlhealthguide/esn-narcolepsy-ess.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcolepsyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcolepsy

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htmnarcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm