Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Margaret Blattner; Kiran Maski

doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.01.003

Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Sleep Med Clin. 2023 Jun;18(2):183-199. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Authors

Margaret Blattner¹, Kiran Maski²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
² Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, BCH3443, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: Kiran.maski@childrens.harvard.edu.

PMID: 37120161
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.01.003

Abstract

Narcolepsy types 1 and 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia are primary Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders of hypersomnolence characterized by profound daytime sleepiness and/or excessive sleep need. Onset of symptoms begins typically in childhood or adolescence, and children can have unique presentations compared with adults. Narcolepsy type 1 is likely caused by immune-mediated loss of orexin (hypocretin) neurons in the hypothalamus; however, the causes of narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia are unknown. Existing treatments improve daytime sleepiness and cataplexy but there is no cure for these disorders.

Keywords: Hypersomnia; MSLT; Narcolepsy; Pediatric.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence* / complications
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence* / diagnosis
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence* / therapy
Humans
Idiopathic Hypersomnia* / diagnosis
Idiopathic Hypersomnia* / therapy
Narcolepsy* / diagnosis
Narcolepsy* / therapy