Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy serves as a prototype of how the interaction of high quality clinical research and groundbreaking basic science can collaborate to defne the cause of a disease and change forever how we evaluate and treat it. There is scarcely a topic in this book that would have been covered in the same way 10 years ago as it is d- cussed today. We are also fortunate that many of the players in this dramatic tu- around have contributed to this volume, so that the result is a tapestry of the events that have transformed the feld over the last decade that is both authentic and detailed. The frst section of the book provides much of the basic science background. As described in the frst two chapters, the dramatic convergence of lines of evidence from two different laboratories frst demonstrated in 1999 that narcolepsy is a disease of loss of neurotransmission by lateral hypothalamic neurons making the peptides that have been called orexins or hypocretins. These fndings did much to clarify and unify a feld that had puzzled for decades over the fundamental nature of this puzzling disease, as refected in the chapters that review its epidemiology and neuroanatomical and imaging fndings.

Julie Flygare was on an ambitious path to success, entering law school at age 22, when narcolepsy destroyed the neurological boundaries between dreaming and reality in her brain. She faced terrifying hallucinations, paralysis and excruciating sleepiness - aspects of dream sleep taking place while wide awake. Yet, narcolepsy was a wake-up call for Julie. Her illness propelled her onto a journey she never imagined - from lying paralyzed on her apartment floor to dancing euphorically at a nightclub; from the classrooms of Harvard Medical School to the start line of the Boston Marathon. Wide Awake and Dreaming is a revealing first-hand account of dreams gone wrong with narcolepsy. It's the brave story of one woman trampling over barriers and finding light in the darkest of circumstances.

A book about narcolepsy, a little-known neurological sleep disorder, characterized primarily by excessive daytime sleepiness & cataplexy. Written in layman's terms, it gives accurate up-to- date facts about all aspects of the disorder. The author also shares her personal experiences, telling how she has coped with all the symptoms for over 30 years. Interesting facts combined with a sense of humor & amusing stories provide easy reading. The comprehensiveness & organization of the book make it an excellent reference source for people with narcolepsy & their families, health care professionals & the general public. M. J. Utley is on the Board of Trustees for Narcolepsy Network, Inc. & serves as the editor of their newsletter. What doctors in Sleep Medicine have to say about the book: "This book fills a yawning gap. It is warm & wise."--Charles P. Pollak, M.D. "Mrs. Utley provides an amusing, interesting & needed introduction to the fascinating world of narcolepsy."--James G. Minard, Ph.D. "Awesome,"--Gila Lindsley, Ph.D., A.C.P. Order from: M.J. Utley, P.O. Box 1923, DeSoto, TX 75123-1923; FAX: (214) 223-6696.

This groundbreaking book focuses on the impact narcolepsy has on a person’s day-to-day life. It addresses the diagnosis, treatment, and management of narcolepsy with particular emphasis on psychological and social aspects of care. A multidisciplinary team of nationally and internationally respected scientists, researchers, and clinicians discuss the detrimental effects narcolepsy has on interpersonal relationships, employment, education, recreation, and other aspects of everyday life, from driving an automobile to sexual relations. Narcolepsy’s effects on these and other daily activities are often neglected in the study of the disorder. This book brings into focus the personal and social costs of narcolepsy and discusses the often enormous impact that narcolepsy can have on a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.Typically it takes about fifteen years for a person to be accurately diagnosed as having narcolepsy. Psychosocial Aspects of Narcolepsy is an aid to help caregivers and healthcare providers screen individuals with symptoms of daytime sleepiness and refer them promptly to appropriate professionals for diagnosis and help. The book helps these professionals find the most effective treatment methods and coping strategies for their patients who suffer from symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and hypnagogic hallucinations. Informative chapters address a wide variety of pertinent issues, including: differential diagnosis and treatment of narcolepsy the special needs of persons with narcolepsy a sociomedical model for a narcolepsy counseling service the psychosocial impact of narcolepsy on the individual and the family sociodemographic variables in narcolepsy the quality of life of persons with narcolepsy the diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial consequences of sleep apnea the legal aspects of narcolepsy narcolepsy’s profound impact on childrenThis vital resource enables physicians and other health professionals to give optimum, comprehensive care to individuals suffering from narcolepsy. Full of informative studies and helpful coping strategies, Psychosocial Aspects of Narcolepsy belongs on the desk of every person who wants to understand the impact of narcolepsy more thoroughly and who wishes to improve the quality of life of those with the disorder.

The orexin system, discovered in 1998, has emerged as a crucial player in regulating the sleep and wake balance inside our brain. This discovery has sparked a burst of novel and dynamic research on the physiology and pathology of sleep. The Orexin System: Basic Science and Role in Sleep Pathology honors this research and the authors share their ideas and perspectives on the novel developments within the field. The book examines the intricate role of the orexin system in regulating sleep and wake, and its interaction with other wake-regulating systems. The orexin system is dissected at the cellular and molecular level to explore the diversity of the orexin-producing neurons, their projections, and their signaling pathways. Additionally, the book discusses the diseases which are associated with a dysfunctional orexin system, such as narcolepsy, insomnia, substance abuse, and Alzheimer’s disease, and explores the new potential therapeutic applications derived from the burst of research around this fascinating system. This publication is essential reading for neurobiologists, neurologists, psychopharmacologists, sleep researchers, and other researchers and clinical scientists interested in sleep, sleep research, insomnia, and medicine in general.

The field of narcolepsy has developed enormously within the last 10 years. Indeed the understanding of the basics of sleep-wake regulation and the discovery of new neurotransmitter systems (the hypocretins) has boosted research and key findings in the field, providing important insights into how sleep is regulated. Consequently narcolepsy now receives a great deal of attention from both clinicians and scientists throughout the world. Narcolepsy: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment not only offers an engaging and comprehensive treatment of a fascinating disorder but also includes a DVD that offers a unique and large collection of movies displaying the symptoms of narcolepsy in people and animals. Written by some of the best experts in the field, the book focuses on the pathophysiology of the problem and also provides critical, up-to-date insights on the key clinical issues: how to diagnose the disorder, how to treat it, and how to best manage psychosocial problems. The first and only guide to span the latest advances in narcolepsy, this reference provides sections in etiology, neurochemistry, the role of the hypocretins in sleep-wake regulation, animal models in narcolepsy, the key role of the hypothalamus, REM-sleep dysregulation, diagnosis and classification, and treatment. Compiled by an international group of more than 30 authors, Narcolepsy: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment is an indispensable resource for all clinicians and scientists with an interest in narcolepsy.

This comprehensive resource covers the current thoughts and trends on narcolepsy, as well as cutting-edge evidence-based research. Updates from the previous edition include advances in diagnostic guidelines, treatments, protocols and clinical and psychosocial considerations. Aspects of narcolepsy relating to sleep medicine, neurology, psychiatry and public health are featured throughout the text. Narcolepsy, 2nd Edition provides clinicians and allied health professionals with patient management modalities, clinical and quality of life issues and best practices for health care delivery.

Formulate treatment plans with confidence when you consult SleepDisorders in Neurology, a helpful overview of both common andrare neurological disorders that are frequently accompanied bysignificant sleep disturbances. This concise guide explains when toconsult a sleep specialist in managing a particular sleep disorderand draws on the expertise of neurologists who specialize in thedisorders under discussion. This practical guide is fullyillustrated and easily digested, providing a counterpoint to largeencyclopedic reference volumes. The authors take you from historytaking and diagnostic testing, to pharmacological andnon-pharmacological treatment options, and are joined by diseasesub-specialists in the chapters on disease specific sleepdisturbances and the effects of common neurological medications onsleep. This book is essential for sleep medicine specialists, as wellas for clinicians and health care professionals not specificallytrained in sleep medicine, but who nevertheless need to manageneurologically damaged patients with increasingly recognizedsleep-wake disturbances.