How do you determine between drowsiness due to Narcolepsy or to the lack of
sleep, or insomnia?
Cataplexy
wake rested after 8-10 minute naps
Hallucinations Sleep paralysis
Shorter sleep latencies on MSLT
Decreased hypocretin levels
What are some associated symptoms of narcolepsy?
excessive daytime sleepiness,
cataplexy,
sleep paralysis,
sleep-related hallucinations.
Diagnostic criteria A for Narcolepsy
Recurrent periods of an irrepressible need to sleep, lapsing into sleep, or
napping occurring within the same day.
Duration criteria for Narcolepsy
, at least 3x week for at least 3 months
Criteria B for Narcolepsy
Cataplexy
Hypocretin deficiency
Polysomnography showing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency ≤ 15
minutes
Cause of Narcolepsy
Loss of hypothalamic neurons that produce the hypocretin
Conventional means to confirm Narcolepsy diagnosis
nocturnal polysomnogram and MSLT
Features of Hypersomnolence disorder that distinguish it from Narcolepsy
Labs do not indicate Narcolepsy
Longer and less fragmented nocturnal sleep,
Greater difficulty waking up,
More continuous daytime sleepiness (rather than more discrete "sleep attacks"
in narcolepsy),
Longer and less refreshing daytime sleep episodes,
sleep, or insomnia?
Cataplexy
wake rested after 8-10 minute naps
Hallucinations Sleep paralysis
Shorter sleep latencies on MSLT
Decreased hypocretin levels
What are some associated symptoms of narcolepsy?
excessive daytime sleepiness,
cataplexy,
sleep paralysis,
sleep-related hallucinations.
Diagnostic criteria A for Narcolepsy
Recurrent periods of an irrepressible need to sleep, lapsing into sleep, or
napping occurring within the same day.
Duration criteria for Narcolepsy
, at least 3x week for at least 3 months
Criteria B for Narcolepsy
Cataplexy
Hypocretin deficiency
Polysomnography showing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency ≤ 15
minutes
Cause of Narcolepsy
Loss of hypothalamic neurons that produce the hypocretin
Conventional means to confirm Narcolepsy diagnosis
nocturnal polysomnogram and MSLT
Features of Hypersomnolence disorder that distinguish it from Narcolepsy
Labs do not indicate Narcolepsy
Longer and less fragmented nocturnal sleep,
Greater difficulty waking up,
More continuous daytime sleepiness (rather than more discrete "sleep attacks"
in narcolepsy),
Longer and less refreshing daytime sleep episodes,
