21419_Unmasking Narcolepsy: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

Michael Thorpy, MD (Chair) and Allen Boone, RPSGT, RST, CCRC discussion of diagnosis, testing, treatment options and associated clinical efficacy and safety data in narcolepsy management.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) documents that more than 70 million people in the US have sleep disorders, most of whom are unaware of it. Currently, there are over 80 recognized sleep disorders, including narcolepsy. The diagnosis of narcolepsy is often overlooked and could be attributed to other medical or even psychiatric conditions with years of missed diagnosis. Sleep technologists can aid in the diagnosis of patients with narcolepsy and truly help narcoleptics lead better and healthier lives.

Narcolepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that is described as a syndrome consisting of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, automatic behaviors, and fragmented or disrupted sleep. If left untreated, narcoleptics risk falling asleep any time during the day, emphasizing the importance of controlling the condition for individuals who regularly operate dangerous machinery or rely on motor vehicles for regular transportation. Furthermore, the increased risk of injury (falls or trauma), along with the intermittent nature of this disabling neurological condition, often leads to significant psychosocial impairment. Unfortunately, lifestyle changes are rarely sufficient to adequately control the symptoms of narcolepsy. Therefore, most patients require life-long medication to cope with the debilitating effects of the disorder. Since no cure for narcolepsy exists, non-pharmacologic and symptom directed pharmacologic treatments are used together for optimal management of patients.

Experts in narcolepsy management will describe best practices in diagnosis including definitions from (DSM-5) and the new (ICSD-3) guidelines, the latest diagnostic tests available to detect narcolepsy, treatment options and associated clinical efficacy and safety data.

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