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Respiratory Medicine > Narcolepsy > Flashcards

Flashcards in Narcolepsy Deck (6)
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1
Q

What is the prevalence of narcolepsy?

A

0.05%

2
Q

What genes are associated with narcolepsy?

A

HLA - DRB1*1501

HLA DQB1* 0602

3
Q

What are the clinical features associated with narcolepsy?

A
  • Cataplexy (not everyone will have this)- sudden collapse especially in emotional circumstances such as laughing or crying. The individual will appear to be asleep but will have a basic awareness of what is going on around them.
  • Excessive daytime somnolence.
  • Hypnagogic (at the onset of sleep) / hynopompic (when coming round from sleep) visual hallucinations.
  • Sleep paralysis.
4
Q

How should narcolepsy be investigated?

A
  1. Polysomnography
  2. Multiple sleep latency test
  3. Lumbar puncture (measure orexin levels in CSF)
5
Q

What is orexin?

A

A neuropeptide that controls wakefulness. Levels are low in narcoleptics

6
Q

How is narcolepsy treated?

A
  • Modafinil (general stimulant to be taken in the morning and at lunchtime).
  • Dexamphetamine (2nd line stimulant).
  • Venlafaxine (for cataplexy) (serotonin reuptake inhibitor).
  • Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem)(2nd line treatment for sleepiness and cataplexy).