Where was narcolepsy first discovered?
The first convincing descriptions of narcolepsy-cataplexy were reported in Germany by Westphal (1877) (100) and Fisher (1878) (25). The unique association of episodes of muscle weakness triggered by excitement and sleepiness were described in these two reports.
Where is narcolepsy located?
Narcolepsy affects about 1 in 2,000 people in the United States and Western Europe. However, the disorder is likely underdiagnosed, particularly in people with mild symptoms. Worldwide, narcolepsy appears to be most common in Japan, where it affects an estimated 1 in 600 people.
Who discovered the cause of narcolepsy?
William C. Dement and Christian Guilleminault in the 1970s. The prevalence of narcolepsy was established, and a canine model discovered.
When was narcolepsy found?
Table 1
| 1877 | First description in the medical literature [1, 2] |
|---|---|
| 1935 | First use of amphetamines in the treatment for narcolepsy [216] |
| 1960 | Description of sleep onset REM periods in a narcoleptic subject [19–21] |
| 1973 | First report of a narcoleptic dog [61, 217] |
| 1977 | Description of the multiple sleep latency test [30, 31] |
How does orexin cause narcolepsy?
Orexin neurons suppress REM sleep, and individuals with narcolepsy exhibit dysregulation of REM sleep that manifests as poor circadian timing of REM sleep, rapid transitions into REM sleep and disruption of REM sleep physiology (for example, REM sleep behaviour disorder or sleep paralysis).
What happens in the brain during narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy develops as a result of changes in the hypothalamus region of your brain. This small gland is located above your brain stem. The hypothalamus helps regulate the release of hormones that affect numerous parts of your body. For example, it’s responsible for releasing hypocretins, which help regulate sleep.
Can a virus cause narcolepsy?
The cause of narcolepsy is often an infection that “tricks” the immune system into destroying the cells that produce hypocretin by mistaking those cells for attacking bacteria or viruses. The infection might be nothing more than a sore throat or flu-like infection.
What part of the brain is probably responsible for narcolepsy?
What causes narcolepsy in the brain?
Many cases of narcolepsy are thought to be caused by a lack of a brain chemical called hypocretin (also known as orexin), which regulates sleep. The deficiency is thought to be the result of the immune system mistakenly attacking parts of the brain that produce hypocretin.