PMID: 11924050Apr 2, 2002Paper

Immunological aspects of narcolepsy

Revue neurologique
Bertrand CarlanderMichel Billiard

Abstract

Since the discovery of an almost 100 p. cent association of human narcolepsy with the HLA gene DQB1*0602, research has been focused on autoimmune mechanisms. Epidemiological data (age of onset, triggering factors, association with multiple sclerosis) would lend support to this hypothesis. However it has remained largely impossible to demonstrate immune abnormalities in blood or CSF by means of usual techniques. The canine form of the disease was supposed to be also immunologically mediated, since a linkage with a human immunoglobulin-related gene had been demonstrated. This was eventually demonstrated to be a pseudo-linkage, the real cause being a mutation in the closely related hypocretin receptor gene. This recently discovered neuropeptide is clearly involved in some aspects of sleep regulation. Soon thereafter, hypocretin deficiency was found in human narcoleptics, due to a severe neuronal loss in the hypothalamus; gliosis having been evidenced, it may be considered as the evidence of a prior inflammatory reaction, possibly due to an immune attack.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur as a result of an attack by the immune system on the body’s own tissues resulting in damage and dysfunction. There are different types of autoimmune diseases, in which there is a complex and unknown interaction between genetics and the environment. Discover the latest research on autoimmune diseases here.

Related Papers

Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology
Bertrand CarlanderM Billiard
Revue neurologique
Yves DauvilliersMichel Billiard
Sleep Medicine Reviews
Sebastiaan OvereemGert Jan Lammers
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved