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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. An example of Narcolepsy in animals:
Rusty the Narcoleptic dog:

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Sources:
Psychology Textbook 9th edition
David G. Myers