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Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. People who have narcolepsy fall asleep at times when they don't want to, such as when they are having a conversation or driving a car. An estimated two-thirds of people with narcolepsy have not been properly diagnosed.
The cause of narcolepsy is not psychological, but rather linked to the brain chemical hypocretin, which helps regulate sleep. People with narcolepsy are also prone to other conditions such as:
- Cataplexy: A sudden episode of muscle weakness, usually triggered by a strong emotion such as surprise or anger. A person experiencing cataplexy may fall to the ground and be paralyzed briefly.
- Hypnagogic hallucinations: Vivid dreams as a person falls asleep.
- Sleep paralysis: A feeling of being unable to move, especially after a dream or before falling asleep.
The doctors and researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are on the cutting edge of narcolepsy research and treatment. Dr. Masashi Yanagisawa, a Howard Hughes investigator at UT Southwestern, is credited with discovering orexin, a neuropeptide which has been implicated in the cause of narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a lifelong condition and the specialists at UT Southwestern have the world-renowned experience and dedication to compassionate care, to serve patients as they manage their narcolepsy and create healthier lives.
Please visit the Health Library to learn more about narcolepsy.
