NARCOLEPSY A brief over view of the theory. Hypocretin is a neurotransmitter that regulates arousal, wakefulness and appetite. In people who have narcolepsy this neurotransmitter is vastly reduced in numbers because the cells that produce it have been destroyed by the auto-immune response. Some genetic variations on chromosome 6 predisposes an individual to narcolepsy.

IDA- REDUCTIONIST The theory of narcolepsy can be considered reductionist as sleep disorders like narcolepsy have been explained using abnormalities of brain function for example having a smaller amount of hypocretin neurotransmitters. Suggesting that narcolepsy is caused solely by genetic variations and a lack of orexin neurotransmitters means that the approach may neglect the influence that psychological and sociocultural variables such as stress or a negative life experience, could have. However the evidence found for biological factors causing narcolepsy is very common and overwhelming and thus the fact that this approach is reductionist may not be a negative thing. As the approach is reductionist and only takes into account biological factors could mean that it has useful applications for example in developing biological treatments for Narcolepsy. It could also be that by isolating a single biological cause of a disorder, more scientific research can be performed looking solely at that cause. This could help to increase knowledge of the disorder and factors that can cause it.

IDA- BIOLOGICALLY DETERMINIST The theory of narcolepsy is biologically determinist to an extent as it suggests that narcolepsy is caused solely by biological factors, for example: a lack of the neurotransmitter oxerin in the brain and that anyone with a genetic variation on chromosome 6 will predispose an individual to developing narcolepsy and therefore not developing the disorder is unavoidable if you have this genetic variation. The fact that the theory is biologically determinist also suggests that individuals with narcolepsy cannot reduce their symptoms by changing environment or external factors, as the disorder is only influenced by biology. For those suffering from narcolepsy this may mean they feel helpless and like there is very little they can do to control or improve their condition. However the approach is not completely biologically determinist as it does suggest certain external factors, such as a flu vaccination, could be responsible for triggering a biological response which in turn could cause narcolepsy.

RESEARCH 1 Dement- carried out a study on mice who couldn’t make hypocretin. This lead to the development of symptoms of narcolepsy. They also had sleep attacks and cataplexy (symptoms of cataplexy are the jaw dropping, the head slumping down, legs collapsing uncontrollably, slurred speech). This supports the theory as it demonstrates the importance of neurotransmitters in the occurrence of the sleep disorder. It also shows low hypocretin decreases the ability to regulate arousal and wakefulness. Extra information- 10% of people with narcolepsy have cataplexy.

RESEARCH 2 Mellins Research shows that people have low levels of a brain chemical called hypocretin, which helps you stay awake. It is believed that this deficiency is probably caused by an abnormal immune system attack on the brain cells that produce hypocretin. "Narcolepsy has been suspected of being an autoimmune disease," said Dr. Elizabeth Mellins, a senior author of the study and an immunology researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine, in California. Supports idea that narcolepsy is due to the genetic variation on chromosome 6 which causes low hypocretin levels, predisposing an individual to narcolepsy Also supports idea that maybe these people's immune systems are attacking the neurones that are producing hypocretin, leading to the low ability to regulate sleep

RESEARCH 3 Picchioni 63 narcoleptics and 63 controls BACKGROUND: This study sought to assess the risk of stressors and infectious diseases using a case- control study. Method: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the frequency and timing of possible risk factors. RESULTS: Of the infectious diseases examined, only flu infections and unexplained fevers carried a significant risk. Several of the stressors carried a significant risk including a major change in sleeping habits. When the timing of all risk factors was considered, exposure prior to puberty increased the risk for developing narcolepsy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the importance of environmental risk factors in the etiology of narcolepsy. This highlights the need for further research on this aspect of narcolepsy so a complete understanding of a disorder that affects 1 in 2,000 individuals can emerge. Challenge idea as it suggests environmental factors play a more important role in narcolepsy, suggesting a purely biological approach is reductionist

RESEARCH 4 Siegal – UCLA People with narcolepsy have nearly 65% more brain cells containing the chemical histamine Their research suggests that this excess of histamine cells may cause the loss of hypocretin cells in human narcoleptics This supports the idea that narcoleptics have fewer numbers of neurons in their brain, such as hypocretin, meaning that this is the reason they cannot stay awake as hypocretin is associated with wakefulness. Supports idea of their body's immune system attacking neurones that produce hypocretin, or they may a genetic variation on chromosome 6.

WIDER EVALUATION This theory has practical applications because it offers great insight into narcolepsy and has produced useful treatments such as drugs like modafinil (which helps to improve wakefulness) However, further research needs to be carried out to explore the influence of the environment has in developing narcolpsy.

QUIZ 1. What neurotransmitter is linked to narcolepsy? 2. What is regulated by that neurotransmitter? 3. State one biological cause to narcolepsy. 4. What is the drug called that aids narcolepsy? 5. How many were in each group for Picchioni's study? 6.what animal was used in Dement's study? 7. Why is the theory of narcolepsy biologically determinist? 8. What are the symptoms of cataplexy? 9. What percent of people with narcolepsy have this? 10. What could be a positive thing about the approach being reductionist?

ANSWERS 1. hypocretin ( orexin ) 2. arousal, wakefulness, and appetite 3. genetic variation in chromosome 6 4. Modafinil mice 7. because states narcolepsy is caused by solely genetic factors such as the genetic variation in chromosome 6 and lack of neurotransmitter orexin. 8. the jaw dropping, the head slumping down, legs collapsing uncontrollably, slurred speech 9. 10% 10. can help develop biological treatments and allow more specific research