![]() This was seen in a subgroup of 9 participants, who experienced narcolepsy onset between the ages of 2 and 15 and had increased difficulty in getting and staying asleep during the night. The most surprising finding was that age of disease onset could have a large impact on how the disease manifests over time, says Kim.Įarly age of onset led to a faster progression of cortical thinning and worse disease severity. The sleep scientists in this latest study wanted to investigate if this could lead to other brain abnormalities. The lack of hypocretin (also known as orexin) results in lasting sleepiness and poor control of REM sleep. These neurons produce a neurotransmitter called hypocretin, associated with regulation of wakefulness and muscle tone. It’s known that most people who have narcolepsy with cataplexy have a die-off of hypothalamic neurons. “These patients had a great deal of cortical thinning.”Īn assistant professor of neurology at the University of Southern California, Kim teamed up with collaborators at McGill University in Canada and Pusan National University in South Korea to execute the study. “We proved that there is disease progression,” says study coauthor Ho Sung Kim, PhD. These findings were observed after two MRI scans were taken of each patient, one at the beginning of the study, followed by another five years later. Structural abnormalities further extended to the hippocampus. ![]() The research showed that participants had widespread progressive cortical thinning in several areas, including in parts of the prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions, memory, cognition, and emotion. Now a longitudinal study has recorded how structural changes manifest in the brain as people with narcolepsy age.Ī team of researchers observed changes in 17 patients using MRI scans, in an about 5-year study looking at disease progression in narcolepsy patients’ brains, according to the journal Brain Imagining and Behavior. Sleep scientists have long wondered about how narcolepsy progresses over time in the brain. Childhood disease onset linked to faster cortical thinning. You can also call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your health concerns.New longitudinal study sheds light on the neurological consequences of narcolepsy with cataplexy. Since narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the patterns of sleep and wakefulness, it is recommended that you visit a neurologist. You can find and book an appointment with top Neurologists in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad through. Continued communication between the patient, doctor, family members, and others is required to manage symptoms. Narcolepsy is treated through a mix of drugs and behavioral therapies but treatment options are tailored according to the living conditions of the patient, the severity of the symptoms, and the goals of the therapy. Nearly 75 percent of patients with narcolepsy complain of cataplectic attacks. The frequency varies from patient to patient, with some experiencing numerous attacks on a daily basis, while some only going through it a few times every year. ![]() ![]() The duration of cataplectic attacks can range from a few seconds to several minutes. Muscle weaknesses are usually subtle and the patient usually stays conscious but temporarily loses his ability to speak. However, severe attacks are rare as most patients only go through milder forms that result in a sagging jaw, slurred speech. When the attack is severe, the patient may collapse and fall to the ground. Stress, fatigue, and sleepiness increase the likelihood of cataplexy attacks. ![]() A cataplexy attack is often a result of strong emotional reactions such as anger, surprise, or laughter. Some people suffering from narcolepsy may also go through a temporary loss of muscle control, which is also referred to as cataplexy. This usually happens when the person is alternating between sleep and wakefulness. Nearly 60 to 80 percent of the patients may also exhibit signs of automatic behavior such as performing some actions without conscious awareness whilst uttering irrelevant words. Signs and symptoms:Īpart from symptoms mentioned above that are the hallmarks of narcolepsy, other signs include disturbed nocturnal sleep and increased body movements. Abnormalities associated with hypocretin system are thought to be the cause behind the abnormal REM sleep and daytime sleepiness found in narcolepsy. These nerve cells are located in the hypothalamus are usually secrete neurotransmitter substances called hypocretins. According to the latest research, narcolepsy is caused by the abnormalities in the function and structure of hypocretin neurons. ![]()
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