NARCOLEPSY-how are the pons and midbrain involved?

[Belleza156]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So narcolepsy is due to a deficiency of orexin (aka hypocretin) ......how does that factor in to what the effect is in the reticular formation in the pons.

Is it increased activity or decreased activity in paramedian pontine reticular formation?

Is it increased activity or decreased activity in the reticular activating system in the midbrain?

 

[Dallas]

So narcolepsy is due to a deficiency of orexin (aka hypocretin) ......how does that factor in to what the effect is in the reticular formation in the pons.

Is it increased activity or decreased activity in paramedian pontine reticular formation?

Is it increased activity or decreased activity in the reticular activating system in the midbrain?

1. dont know
2. I would guess decrease, but who knows dont think they have studied the physiology behind it. There are orexin antagonists who have passed Phase III trials now that seem to enhance sleep.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20120613/sleep-drug-suvorexant-early-studies

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1e58894c-c533-11e1-940d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz22zilIOP0

 

[ijn]

UpToDate seems to say narcolepsy w/ cataplexy is due to an acquired and selective decrease in orexin-producing neurons of the hypothalamus. The cause of narcolepsy w/o cataplexy is less well understood.

 

[Phloston]

Random tidbit:

90% of narcolepsy pts are HLA-DR2.

I had seen this in a practice question somewhere.

Therefore, narcolepsy demonstrates an increased occurrence alongside hay fever, SLE, Goodpasture's and multiple sclerosis.