Narcolepsy: clinical features
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Narcolepsy: clinical features. Narcolepsy usually starts in adolescence. The onset age is 15-40 years. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Epidemiological features
- Narcolepsy usually starts in adolescence
- The onset age is 15-40 years
- It is slightly more frequent in males
- It may be triggered by H1N1 influenza virus infection and immunisation
Excessive sleepiness
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Cataplexy
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Sleep paralysis
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Hypnagogic hallucinations
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Sleepiness-related daytime symptoms
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Complex sleep-onset movements
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Associated sleep disorders
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Other reported associated disorders
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References
- Zeman A, Britton T, Douglas N, et al. Narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. BMJ 2004; 329:724-728.
- Reading P. The neurological sleep clinic Part 1: the sleepy patient. ACNR 2008; 8:6-9.
- Plazzi G, Pizza F, Palaia V, et al. Complex movement disorders at disease onset in childhood narcolepsy with cataplexy. Brain 2011; 134:3480-3492.
- Stores G. Clinical diagnosis and misdiagnosis of sleep disorders. JNNP 2007; 78:1293-1297.
- Fontana A, Gast H, Reith W, et al. Narcolepsy: autoimmunity, effector T cell activation due to infection, or T cell independent major histocompatibility complex class II induced neuronal loss? Brain 2010; 133:1300-1311.
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