Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Narcolepsy) that could possibly cause Narcolepsy includes:
More causes: see full list of causes for Narcolepsy
Causes: Narcolepsy:
Unknown.
The normal stages of sleep include a phase of rapid eye movement (REM). It is during the REM phase of sleep when we dream and during this time that our muscles become completely relaxed. The problem in narcolepsy is that REM can occur while awake, resulting in half-sleep dreams and temporary paralysis.
(Source: Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology)
Article excerpts about the
causes of Narcolepsy:
Normally, when an individual is awake, brain waves show a regular
rhythm. When a person first falls asleep, the brain waves become slower
and less regular. This sleep state is called non-rapid eye movement (NREM)
sleep. After about an hour and a half of NREM sleep, the brain waves begin
to show a more active pattern again, even though the person is in deep
sleep. This sleep state, called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is when
dreaming occurs.
In narcolepsy, the order and length of NREM and REM sleep periods are disturbed, with REM sleep occurring at sleep onset instead of after a period of NREM sleep. Thus, narcolepsy is a disorder in which REM sleep appears at an abnormal time. Also, some of the aspects of REM sleep that normally occur only during sleep--lack of muscle tone, sleep paralysis, and vivid dreams--occur at other times in people with narcolepsy. (Source: excerpt from Narcolepsy: NWHIC)
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Narcolepsy:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Narcolepsy may be found in:
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