Narcolepsy: There’s a Nap for That By Stacey Riddick, Cat Morgan, Kathy Hill, and Caroline Krumm

Regular Circadian Rhythm Our bodies have an internal circadian biological clock which causes us to be sleepy Normal Night sleep: 8 hours, 4-6 sleep cycles (Non REM sleep—NREM) followed by REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement: when dreams occur)

What is Narcolepsy? REM sleep Disturbance Classified as a brain disease Chronic brain disorder that involved poor control of sleep-wake cycles Most go straight into REM sleep after falling asleep instead of going through the 4 sleep stages Most experience poor sleep at night and extreme sleepiness during the day

An example of Narcolepsy in animals: Rusty the Narcoleptic dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVCYdrw-1o

What Causes Narcolepsy? Caused by missing neurotransmitter orexin Scientists have found gene that is strongly associated with it May be due to a deficiency in hypocretin (a chemical in the brain that regulates REM sleep) Most likely a neurological dysfunction

Symptoms Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) Cataplexy (loss of muscle tone-including drooping of eyelids) Sleep paralysis (loss of muscle tension) Hallucination Sleep Attacks

Diagnosis Physical exam Keeping a sleep diary What time you fell asleep and woke up How well you slept What you ate/drank before falling asleep Stress Medications

Specialized Tests Specialized tests that are administered for sleep disorders by a sleep lab Polysomnogram (PSG) Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)

Polysomnogram Multiple Sleep Latency test: Measures in a sleep study: Air flow in and out of the lungs during breathing Blood oxygen levels Body position Brain waves (EEG) Breathing effort and rate Electrical activity of muscles Eye movement Heart rate Multiple Sleep Latency test: A polysomnogram administered specifically for narcolepsy because it measures tiredness during the day Administered for about 7 hours during day

Treatment Cognitive-behavioral therapy: eases sleep anxiety Treated by drugs to relieve narcolepsy’s sleepiness Most physicians recommend: Exercise in the afternoon Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol Eat complex carbohydrates and protein in the evening Warm milk and chamomile tea raises body temperature and helps induce sleepiness Cut out electronics at least an hour before bed Bedtime rituals such as a bath, reading a book, meditation, etc.

Sources: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/ss/slideshow-sleep-disorders-overview http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003932.htm Psychology Textbook 9th edition David G. Myers