Narcolepsy

chromosome 6

genetic mutation on this chromosome can cause narcolepsy

antidepressants

treatment for cataplexy, paralysis and hallucinations

ritalin

treatment for sleep attacks

narcolepsy

A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times.

cataplexy

A sudden loss of voluntary muscle strength and control that is usually triggered by an intense emotion.

sleep paralysis

A temporary condition in which a person is unable to move upon awakening in the morning or during the night.

cerebrospinal fluid

Found that human narcoleptics have a reduction in this:

hypnopompic hallucinations

Hallucination occurring while awakening from sleep, also not pathological

orexin

Hunger-triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus

hypocretin/orexin

Mice with narcolepsy shown to have lacked the ability to produce this neurotransmitter.

locus coeruleus

Normally: Switches on when you awake Switches off as you sleep

hypnogogic hallucinations

a REM type dream that intrudes into the waking state prior to the onset of sleep

25-40

per cent of people who report sleep paralysis

1 in 2000

incidence of narcolepsy in humans

hypothalamus

orexin is only produced in cells of a region of the ....