Title: Introduction. Narcolepsy and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: From the Bench to the Bedside
Abstract:arcolepsy is a chronic, neurologic sleep disorder resulting from the dysregulation of sleep-wake cyN cles. Narcoleptic patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and...arcolepsy is a chronic, neurologic sleep disorder resulting from the dysregulation of sleep-wake cyN cles. Narcoleptic patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations. Narcolepsy is about as prevalent as multiple sclerosis, and can be as disabling in its consequences, yet it is underrecognized and underdiagnosed. Because (narcoleptic) undesired sleep episodes can occur at any time, they have severe detrimental effects on daily functions, safety, and work. Patients may fall asleep involuntarily while at work or school, during social activities, or while driving or operating hazardous machinery. Suffering many psychosocial and work-related problems, narcoleptic patients face a lifetime of poorer health and quality of life than people without narcolepsy (Figure 1). Whereas no cure is available for narcolepsy, treatment of its symptoms can help minimize its harmful effects. Although the exact etiology of narcolepsy is still mostly unknown, clinical understanding of the underlying causes, as well as treatment options, have increased in theRead More
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-11-15
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 1
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