Narcolepsy

Causes

• Caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally
• Many cases are thought to be caused by a lack of the brain chemical orexin.

Symptoms

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Falling asleep uncontrollably
• Usually begins between age 15 & 25

Treatment

• There is no cure
• The FDA approved of a drug called modafinil, which is effective in controlling narcolepsy
• The drug Xyrem was approved in July 2002, but is highly restricted due to safety concerns.

Is it Contagious?

• It is not contagious
• There is no way to prevent yourself from getting narcolepsy

References

• http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/narcolepsy.htm
• http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy