Hypersomnias of central origin

99 important questions on Hypersomnias of central origin

What are the primary central disorders of hypersomnolence?

The main central disorders include:
  • Narcolepsy (especially Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1))
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia
  • Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS)
  • NT1 is characterized by hypocretin deficiency.

What issues affect the availability of epidemiological data on hypersomnolence disorders?

Affected issues include:
  • Unspecific definitions
  • Lack of biomarkers for certain disorders
  • Available data primarily for Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)
  • General population estimated prevalence up to 5%.

How is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) defined?

EDS is characterized by:
  1. Chronic sleepiness (>3 months) during wake hours
  2. Irresistible need for sleep during the day
  3. Possible unintended sleep attacks
  4. Impaired vigilance or attention.
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What differentiates idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) from narcolepsy?

Idiopathic hypersomnia features:
  • Chronic EDS without cataplexy
  • No REM sleep dysregulation
  • Long sleep times may be present
  • Diagnosis revised in ICSD-3 criteria for better accuracy.

What is a key characteristic of Kleine-Levin syndrome?

Key characteristics include:
  • Episodes of hypersomnia lasting 1-4 weeks
  • Neuropsychiatric abnormalities during episodes
  • Alternating asymptomatic periods
  • Menstrual-related form occurring in women.

What causes hypersomnia due to medical disorders?

Conditions leading to hypersomnia may include:
  1. Parkinson’s disease (20%-40% affected)
  2. Central nervous system lesions (e.g., strokes, brain tumors)
  3. Traumatic brain injuries
  4. Genetic disorders like myotonic dystrophy.

What are the primary central disorders of hypersomnolence?

  • Narcolepsy
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia
  • Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS)
  • Only narcolepsy with cataplexy (type 1, NT1) has hypocretin as a biomarker.

How is narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) characterized?

  • Chronic excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Presence of cataplexy
  • Sleep onset REM sleep episodes (SOREMs)
  • Hypocretin deficiency

What defines narcolepsy type 2 (NT2)?

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Sleep onset REM sleep episodes (SOREMs)
  • Absence of cataplexy
  • No decrease in cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin levels

What distinguishes idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) from narcolepsy?

  • Chronic excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Absence of cataplexy
  • No REM sleep dysregulation
  • Typical features include long sleep times and sleep drunkenness

What is Kleine-Levin syndrome characterized by?

  • Episodes of hypersomnia lasting 1-4 weeks
  • Alternating periods of neuropsychiatric abnormalities
  • Asymptomatic periods
  • A subtype related to menstruation in women

What can cause hypersomnia due to a medical disorder?

  • Chronic excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Various etiologies lead to symptoms
  • Conditions like Parkinson's disease and stroke
  • Severity and manifestations can vary significantly

How common is insufficient sleep syndrome compared to narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)?

  • Insufficient sleep syndrome is 5-10 times more frequent than NT1
  • NT2 and idiopathic hypersomnia are 3-10 times less common
  • Up to 5% of the general population may have hypersomnolence disorders

What are the diagnostic challenges of narcolepsy type 2 (NT2)?

  • Often lacks other biomarkers for accurate diagnosis
  • False positives can occur
  • Insufficient sleep syndrome may mimic severe symptoms

What classifications exist for hypersomnolence disorders?

  • American Psychiatric Association (DSM-V)
  • American Academy of Sleep Medicine (ICSD-3)
  • Various national sleep and neurological societies
  • ICSD-3 is the most widely used classification

How does the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3) categorize hypersomnolence disorders?

  • Includes narcolepsy types 1 and 2
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia
  • Kleine-Levin syndrome, among others
  • Criteria based on expert consensus and scientific evidence

What are the central origin hypersomnias mentioned in the summary?

Hypersomnias of central origin include:
  • Narcolepsy type 1 (with cataplexy)
  • Narcolepsy type 2 (without cataplexy)
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia
  • Kleine-Levin syndrome
  • Hypersomnia due to medical disorders
  • Hypersomnia due to medication or substance
  • Hypersomnia with psychiatric disorders
  • Insufficient sleep syndrome

What is the difference between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and excessive need for sleep (ENS)?

  • EDS is inability to stay awake causing sleep attacks
  • ENS involves a need for excessive sleep duration (>11 hours)
  • Both symptoms may affect daily performance

What role does cataplexy play in diagnosing narcolepsy type 1?

Identification of typical cataplexy is essential for diagnosing narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) because:
  • It helps differentiate NT1 from other conditions.
  • It is the only specific symptom of narcolepsy.
  • The presence indicates possible narcolepsy diagnosis.

What are the key features of hypersomnolence disorders?

  • Chronic excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Excessive need for sleep (ENS)
  • Increased sleep quantity over 24 hours
  • Associated impairment in quality of life

What distinguishes narcolepsy type 1 and type 2 in clinical diagnosis?

Narcolepsy types differ primarily by:
  1. Type 1 (NT1): presence of cataplexy
  2. Type 2 (NT2): absence of cataplexy
  3. Both types exhibit excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

How does the DSM-V define hypersomnia?

  • Defined as sleep duration greater than 9 hours
  • Lacks biomarkers for accurate diagnosis
  • Does not distinguish between different narcolepsy types

How is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) characterized in narcolepsy?

EDS is:
  • Often overwhelming and irresistible.
  • Develops over weeks to months.
  • May occur in monotonous situations (watching TV, reading).
  • Can lead to sleep attacks even during activities.

What are Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence (CDH) primarily characterized by?

The main characteristic of CDH includes:
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Associated sleep symptoms
  • Biological factors such as human leukocyte antigen and cerebrospinal hypocretin-1 levels
  • Non-sleep-related symptoms contributing to disease burden

What factors contribute to the understanding of central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDH)?

Insights into CDH stem from:
  • Integration of human and animal model data
  • Neurochemical factors: impaired hypocretin, dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine, serotonin
  • Genetic and environmental influences
  • Immune-mediated loss of hypocretin neurons in narcolepsy

What clinical features are associated with cataplexy in narcolepsy?

Cataplexy episodes feature:
  • Sudden, bilateral loss of muscle tone
  • Triggered by emotions, especially mirth
  • Preserved consciousness during episodes
  • Symptoms may vary from face drooping to weakness.

What pharmacological treatments are recommended for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in narcolepsy?

  • First-line: modafinil, pitolisant, solriamfetol
  • Second-line: methylphenidate
  • Third-line: combination of drugs, or amphetamines
  • Antidepressants for cataplexy and sodium oxybate for REM symptoms.

What learning objectives are highlighted in relation to CDH?

The learning objectives include:
  1. Awareness of atypical EDS manifestations and cognitive complaints
  2. Understanding of their impact on quality of life and socioeconomic burden
  3. Review of tools for subjective symptom assessment

How is cataplexy related to narcolepsy in terms of neurochemistry?

Cataplexy is strongly linked to:
  • Severe hypocretin deficiency
  • Altered activation of brain circuits
  • Associated with REM sleep disturbances
  • Pathognomonic for narcolepsy type 1

What are common sleep disturbances in narcolepsy?

Disturbances include:
  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
  • Periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS)
  • Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
  • Sleep fragmentation without increased total sleep time.

What factors should be considered when selecting treatments for narcolepsy?

  • Presence and severity of symptoms
  • - Daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations
  • Patient characteristics
  • - Age, gender, birth control method
  • Comorbid conditions
  • - Obesity, apneas, metabolic, cardiovascular, psychiatric

How does fatigue present in patients with CDH compared to EDS?

Fatigue in CDH may be:
  • Misinterpreted as EDS
  • Defined by lack of energy
  • Associated with poorer quality of life
  • Correlated with depressive symptoms

What neuroanatomical findings support the pathophysiology of narcolepsy?

Key findings include:
  • Loss of hypocretin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus
  • Increased histaminergic neurons in narcolepsy type 1
  • Neuroimaging studies indicating metabolic changes in various brain regions
  • Inconclusive results on morphological changes

What are the criteria for diagnosing narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)?

Criteria for NT1 include:
  1. Daily periods of irrepressible need to sleep for at least 3 months.
  2. Presence of cataplexy and sleep latency < 8 min.
  3. Hypocretin-1 level < 110 pg/ml measured in CSF.

How is modafinil characterized in terms of its use for narcolepsy?

  • Wakefulness-promoting agent enhancing dopamine activity
  • Recommended as first-line therapy
  • Effective dosage: 200-400 mg/day
  • Common side effects include headache, nervousness, and nausea.

What cognitive problems are commonly reported by patients with narcolepsy?

Hypersomnolent patients often report:
  • Reduced attention and memory difficulties
  • Impairment in executive functions
  • Issues during sustained cognitive tasks
  • Normal functioning on brief tasks

What characterizes excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in narcolepsy?

EDS is characterized by:
  • Persistent drowsiness, often fluctuating
  • Episodes of automatic behavior and sleep
  • Correlation with REM sleep occurrences
  • Potential primary deficiency in arousal systems

What psychiatric disturbances are commonly associated with narcolepsy?

Common psychiatric issues are:
  • Anxiety
  • Mild to moderate depression
  • Social phobias
  • Found in 20%-30% of narcolepsy cases.

How does pitolisant function as a treatment for narcolepsy?

  • Acts as an inverse H3-receptor agonist
  • Enhances histamine release, improving wakefulness
  • Recommended dosage: 9-36 mg/day
  • Effective with good tolerance profile after 1 year.

What educational challenges do patients with narcolepsy face?

Educational challenges include:
  • Reported problems in half of narcoleptic individuals
  • 25% face unexpected school dropout
  • Conflicting educational levels compared to non-narcoleptics
  • Importance of early diagnosis for better academic outcomes

What factors are involved in the pathophysiology of cataplexy?

Cataplexy's pathophysiology involves:
  • Recruitment of brain mechanisms responsible for REM atonia
  • Activation of brainstem elements and supratentorial structures
  • Interaction with emotional and motor circuits
  • Triggering by emotional stimuli

What are the primary types of central-origin hypersomnias?

  • Narcolepsy with cataplexy (NT1)
  • Narcolepsy without cataplexy (NT2)
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia
  • Kleine-Levin syndrome
  • Hypersomnia due to medical disorders
  • Hypersomnia associated with psychiatric disorders
  • Insufficient sleep syndrome

What are the non-pharmacological management strategies for narcolepsy?

  • Educating patients on their ailments
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
  • Regular physical activity and weight control
  • Scheduled short naps to boost daytime performance.

What are the socioeconomic impacts of hypersomnia disorders?

The socioeconomic impacts are:
  • Higher need for medical consultations
  • Lower productivity and employment rates
  • Increased absenteeism and early retirement
  • Financial strain on patients and families

What is the primary focus of the summary regarding CDH?

The primary focus includes:
  • Integration of data from human and animal models
  • Impaired hypocretin and aminergic neurotransmission
  • Correlation of cataplexy with hypocretin deficiency
  • Genetic and environmental factors involvement

What symptoms are typical of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)?

  • Overwhelming sleepiness
  • Inability to stay awake
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Sleep attacks during activities
  • Brief and refreshing sleep episodes
  • Fatigue and tiredness
  • Automatic behaviors

What are the adverse effects associated with modafinil?

  • Commonly mild and include:
  • - Headache (13%)
  • - Nervousness (8%)
  • - Nausea (5%)
  • Low potential for abuse and interactions with contraceptives.

How do chronic disorders affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL)?

Chronic disorders influence HRQoL by:
  • Affecting various life domains
  • Suffering poorer scores in assessments like SF-36
  • Correlating EDS severity with lower HRQoL
  • Impacting perceptions through depressive feelings

What are the learning objectives related to narcolepsy?

The learning objectives are:
  1. Aetiology of narcolepsy including hypocretin neurones loss
  2. Pathophysiological role of hypocretin and aminergic neurotransmission
  3. Recognition of biomarkers for CDH

What defines cataplexy in narcolepsy?

  • Sudden bilateral loss of muscle tone
  • Triggered by strong emotions
  • Consciousness preserved during episodes
  • Symptoms include face drooping and eyelid closure
  • Can lead to falls in complete attacks

What is the importance of sleep hygiene in managing narcolepsy?

  • Reduces sleep inertia and promotes better sleep quality
  • Recommended behaviors include:
  • - Avoiding sleep deprivation
  • - Maintaining regular night-time sleep schedule
  • - Taking short scheduled naps can reduce daytime sleepiness.

What is the main complaint associated with Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence (CDH)?

The key complaint is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which is also linked to:
  • Other sleep symptoms
  • Sleep alterations (e.g., polysomnography)
  • Biological factors (e.g., hypocretin-1 levels)

What are the typical triggers for cataplexy?

  • Laughter (mirth)
  • Other unexpected emotions
  • Less common: anger
  • Rarely involves pain or fear

What is the main pathophysiological feature of CDH?

The main feature focuses on:
  • Insufficiency of arousal systems
  • Deficient hypocretin and/or aminergic neurotransmission
  • Less emphasis on sleep over-activity or disinhibition

What are characteristic symptoms of narcolepsy?

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Cataplexy specific to narcolepsy type 1
  • Disturbed night-time sleep, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis.
  • Symptoms can lead to significant disability and impact daily life.

What are common symptoms reported by patients with CDH?

Patients frequently report:
  • Tiredness
  • Fatigue
  • Poor concentration
  • Their symptoms may complicate assessments and diagnosis.

How do cognitive complaints relate to CDH?

Cognitive complaints may stem from either:
  1. Somnolence due to hypovigilance
  2. Genuine comorbid conditions

How is cataplexy related to narcolepsy?

Cataplexy is characterized by:
  • Pathognomonic for narcolepsy
  • Correlation with severe hypocretin deficiency
  • Arises from altered activation of specific brain circuits

What are common non-specific symptoms of narcolepsy?

  • Sleep paralysis
  • Hallucinations
  • Sleep-disordered breathing
  • Periodic limb movements during sleep
  • Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

What are the main non-pharmacological strategies recommended for narcolepsy management?

Essential strategies include:
  • Education about symptoms
  • Good sleep hygiene
  • Regular night-time sleep schedule
  • Short scheduled naps
  • Physical activity
  • Weight control

What did von Economo suggest about narcolepsy's origin?

Von Economo suggested that:
  • Narcolepsy may originate from the hypothalamus
  • This observation was based on studies in encephalitis lethargica

What tools are used for diagnosing hypersomnias of central origin?

  • Patient history
  • Sleep logs
  • Actigraphy
  • Polysomnography
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
  • Cerebrospinal fluid examinations
  • HLA typing

Which drugs are considered first-line, second-line, and third-line options for treating daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy?

Treatment options are categorized as follows:
  1. First-line: modafinil, pitolisant, solriamfetol
  2. Second-line: methylphenidate
  3. Third-line: combination of drugs or amphetamines

What factors contribute to the socioeconomic burden of CDH?

Main determinants include:
  • Medical comorbidities
  • Long-term disability
  • High absenteeism
  • Work accidents

How have animal studies contributed to our understanding of narcolepsy?

Animal studies have contributed by providing:
  1. Face validity for the disorder's phenotype
  2. Predictive validity of drug effectiveness
  3. Construct validity related to hypocretin/orexin levels

What is the frequency and incidence of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)?

  • Frequency: 20-50 per million
  • Incidence: about 10 per million per year
  • Varies by location (lower in Israel, higher in Japan)

What symptoms are targeted by antidepressants in narcolepsy treatment?

Antidepressants primarily address:
  • Cataplexy
  • Rapid eye movement sleep-associated symptoms
  • Disturbed night-time sleep

What is often misinterpreted as excessive daytime sleepiness?

Fatigue is commonly confused with EDS, defined by:
  • Lack of energy
  • Absence of excessive sleep

How prevalent is fatigue among narcolepsy patients?

Fatigue is a frequent comorbidity:
  • NT1: 76%
  • NT2: 85%
  • Healthy controls: 24%

What new evidence has emerged regarding narcolepsy and the immune system?

New evidence includes:
  • Association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
  • Immune-mediated loss of hypocretin neurones
  • Low cerebrospinal fluid levels of hypocretin-1

What defines narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) in the diagnostic criteria?

  • Daily periods of irrepressible sleep need for at least 3 months
  • Cataplexy presence
  • Mean sleep latency

How do patient characteristics influence drug selection for narcolepsy treatment?

Considerations include:
  • Presence and severity of symptoms
  • Age and gender
  • Birth control methods
  • Comorbid conditions

What are the neurophysiological hallmarks of narcolepsy?

Key neurophysiological hallmarks are:
  1. SOREMs occurring within 15-20 min from sleep onset
  2. Loss of continuity in sleep and wakefulness
  3. Presence of "dissociated states" during sleep

Describe the clinical phenotypes of narcolepsy.

  • Typical cataplexy with biological markers
  • Typical cataplexy without biological markers
  • Atypical narcolepsy without cataplexy but with biological markers
  • Sporadic, familial, or secondary narcolepsy

What is the role of sodium oxybate in narcolepsy treatment?

Sodium oxybate is effective for:
  • Cataplexy
  • Disturbed night-time sleep
  • Rapid eye movement sleep-associated symptoms

What correlation exists between fatigue and treatment in narcolepsy patients?

Severe fatigue relates to:
  • Higher stimulant doses
  • Poor response to treatment
  • Detrimental effects on nocturnal sleep efficiency

What psychiatric issues are often found in narcolepsy patients?

  • Anxiety
  • Mild to moderate depression
  • Social phobias
  • Occurs in 20%-30% of cases

How does excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) relate to the hypocretin system?

EDS is linked to:
  • Dense hypocretin projections to aminergic nuclei
  • Impaired activity of these nuclei contributing to EDS

What is the significance of patient education concerning driving in narcolepsy?

Patients must be informed about:
  • Risks of sleepiness while driving
  • Potential dangers at work and in daily life

How do attention and cognitive performances differ in narcolepsy?

Attention issues include:
  • Difficulty in prolonged tasks
  • Normal short-term tasks
  • Worse scores in complex attention tasks

What cognitive disturbances can occur in narcolepsy?

  • Attention problems
  • Executive function issues
  • Consequence of excessive daytime sleepiness

Describe the ideal management strategy for idiopathic hypersomnia.

Management strategies include:
  • Use of stimulants
  • Non-evidence-based approaches
  • Regular sleep hygiene

What is the proposed correlation between EDS severity and SOREMs?

The correlation states that:
  • Severity of EDS may correlate with presence of SOREMs
  • Naps with REM sleep show more imperative sleepiness

What tools exist for assessing the quality of life in individuals with CDH?

Several tools are used, including:
  • Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
  • Focus on functioning, distress, and personal health evaluations

What anatomical structures are involved in cataplexy?

Cataplexy involves:
  • Medial medulla and its spinal cord projections
  • Hypothalamus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex
  • Pontine sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD)

How is metabolic disturbance characterized in narcolepsy patients?

  • Higher body mass index (BMI) by 10%-20%
  • Reduced metabolic rate
  • Decreased motor activity
  • Increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes

What needs to be considered for effective narcolepsy treatment monitoring?

Regular assessment of:
  • Severity of symptoms
  • Treatment efficacy
  • Self-reported and objective measures

What is the impact of EDS severity on quality of life?

EDS severity correlates with:
  • Lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
  • Common reports of depressive feelings

What adverse effects are commonly associated with modafinil?

Common side effects include:
  • Headache (13%)
  • Nervousness (8%)
  • Nausea (5%)

What academic challenges do narcoleptic patients face?

Academic difficulties include:
  • Poor concentration
  • Low speed
  • Forgetfulness
  • Anxiety about performance

How is pitolisant administered for narcolepsy treatment?

Pitolisant is taken:
  • As a single morning dose
  • Doses range from 9-36 mg/day

How does narcolepsy influence job outcomes?

Job-related issues include:
  • High dropout rates (25% dropout)
  • Lower productivity and employment rates

What is the mechanism of action of modafinil?

Modafinil enhances wakefulness by:
  • Increasing dopamine concentration
  • Blocking the dopamine transporter
  • Potential action on several neurotransmitter systems

What relationship exists between early diagnosis and educational achievement in narcolepsy patients?

Early diagnosis is linked to:
  • Higher levels of education
  • Fewer job changes
  • Low unemployment rate

What key factors influence the treatment decisions for central disorders of hypersomnolence?

Important considerations include:
  • Severity and persistence of symptoms
  • Associated comorbid conditions
  • Patient characteristics

How does chronic illness affect life domains in patients?

Chronic illness alters:
  • Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
  • Daily functioning and social interactions

What are common misconceptions about EDS in narcolepsy patients?

EDS is often misinterpreted as:
  • Laziness
  • Drug abuse
  • Lack of effort

What economic impacts do CDH impose on patients?

CDH leads to higher costs due to:
  • Increased medical consultations
  • Lower employment rates
  • More frequent job terminations

Why is awareness of CDH important for patients' educational and work choices?

Awareness aids in making choices like:
  • Selecting jobs with low risk of sleep-related accidents
  • Allowing scheduled naps
  • Adjusting school commitments

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