Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and disrupted nighttime sleep. It is caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally, often due to a deficiency in the neurotransmitter hypocretin (also known as orexin).

Currently, the most common treatment options are stimulant medications which decrease daytime sleepiness and improve alertness. Stimulants can cause many side effects and can disrupt a patient’s nighttime sleep.

Emerging treatments for narcolepsy include hypocretin replacement therapy, orexin receptor agonists, and immune modulation therapies to name a few. These emerging treatments are at various stages of development and clinical trials. They hold promise for improving the management of narcolepsy by offering new therapeutic options that may be more effective, better tolerated, or more targeted than current treatments. As research progresses, these advancements have the potential to provide more personalized and comprehensive care for individuals living with narcolepsy.