Narcolepsy Resource Center
Health ConditionsNeurological DisordersNarcolepsy

Narcolepsy

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Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may experience excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, and cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness). Treatment often involves medications to manage symptoms, but lifestyle adjustments like regular sleep schedules and planned naps can also be beneficial.

FAQ

What causes narcolepsy?

The exact cause is unknown, but it involves a deficiency of hypocretin.

There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed with medication.

Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions.

Diagnosis involves undergoing sleep studies, such as polysomnography or a multiple sleep latency test.

Yes, narcolepsy can impair driving; careful management is essential.

Meet Our Experts In Narcolepsy
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Abhinav Singh

Abhinav Singh, MD

Medical Reviewer

Abhinav Singh, MD, is a board-certified sleep medicine specialist and the medical director of the Indiana Sleep Center. He is also an associate clinical professor at Marian Univers...

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Sanjai Sinha, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician and an assistant professor of clinical medicine and the director of the care management program at Weill Cornell ...
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Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD

Medical Reviewer
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Jason Chua, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Division of Movement Disorders at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his training at th...

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Daniel Barone, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, From NewYork-Presbyterian

Daniel Barone, MD, is the associate medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he is also an associate attending ...

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Chester Wu, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Chester Wu, MD, is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He cares for patients through his private practice in Houston, where he provides evaluations, medication...

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Jessica Baity, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jessica Baity, MD, is a board-certified neurologist practicing in southern Louisiana. She cares for a variety of patients in all fields of neurology, including epilepsy, headache, ...

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Resources
  1. Narcolepsy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. January 10, 2025.
  2. Narcolepsy. Mayo Clinic. November 15, 2024.

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