Narcolepsy, 2011 Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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.

Etiology and genetics of human narcolepsy.- Narcolepsy: autoimmunity or secondary to infection?.- Is narcolepsy a neurodegenerative disorder?.- The roles of hypocretin/orexin in narcolepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and normal behaviour.- Histamine in narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness.- Dopaminergic substrates underlying hypersomnia, sleepiness, and REM sleep expression.- The serotoninergic system in sleep and narcolepsy.- Sleep homeostasis, adenosine, caffeine, and narcolepsy.- Prostaglandin D2: an endogenous somnogen.- The neurobiology of sleep-wake systems: an overview.- The hypocretins/orexins: master regulators of arousal and hyperarousal.- Optogenetic probing of hypocretin/orexin regulation of wakefulness.- Hypocretin/orexin receptor functions in mesopontine systems regulating sleep, arousal and cataplexy.- Afferent control of the hypocretin/orexin neurons.- The neural basis of sleepiness in narcoleptic mice.- Mathematical models of narcolepsy.- The hypothalamus and its functions.- The prehistory of orexin/hypocretin and melanin-concentrating hormone neurons of the lateral hypothalamus.- Metabolic influence on the hypocretin/orexin neurons.- Endocrine abnormalities in narcolepsy.- Appetite and obesity.- Effects of orexin/hypocretin on ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons: an emerging role in addiction.- Orexin/hypocretin, drug addiction, and narcolepsy.- Emotional processing in narcolepsy.- Depression in narcolepsy.- The clinical features of cataplexy.- Parasomnias in narcolepsy with cataplexy.- The motor system and narcolepsy: Periodic leg movements and restless leg syndrome.- Spectrum of narcolepsy.- Secondary narcolepsy.- Posttraumatic narcolepsy.- The hypocretin/orexin system and sleepiness in Parkinson’s disease.- Idiopathic hypersomnia.- Current diagnostic criteria of adult narcolepsy.- The arguments for standardized diagnostic procedures.- Fitness to drive in narcolepsy.- Treatment of narcolepsy.- Treatment of narcolepsy in thechild

Christian R. Baumann, MD
University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland

Claudio L. Bassetti, MD
University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland

Thomas E. Scammell, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA