Humans ; Cataplexy/drug therapy* ; Sleep, REM ; Dopamine ; Narcolepsy/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of atomoxetine hydrochloride in children with narcolepsy.

METHODTotally 66 patients with narcolepsy who were conformed international classification of sleep disturbances (ICSD-2) diagnostic criteria treated with atomoxetine hydrochloride seen from November 2010 to December 2014 were enrolled into this study, 42 of them were male and 24 female, mean age of onset was 7.5 years (3.75-13.00 years), mean duration before diagnosis was 1.75 years (0.25-5.00 years). Complete blood count, liver and kidney function, multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), polysomnography (PGS), neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed for each patient. For some of the children HLA-DR2 gene and serum markers of infection were tested. The 66 cases were followed up from 2 to 49 months (average 18 months) to observe the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions.

RESULTSIn 62 cases excessive daytime sleepiness was improved, in 11 cases (16.7%) it was controlled (16.7%), in 29 cases (43.9%) the treatment was obviously effective and in 22 (33.3%) it was effective; cataplexy occurred in 54 cases, in 18 (33.3%) it was controlled, in 19 (35.2%) the treatment was obviously effective and in 10 (18.5%) effective; night sleep disorders existed in 55 cases, in 47 cases it was improved, in 14 (25.5%) it was controlled, in 20 (36.4%) the treatment was obviously effective and in 13 (23.6%) effective; hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucination was present in 13 cases, in only 4 these symptoms were controlled. Sleep paralysis existed in 4 cases, it was controlled in only 1 case. In 18 cases attention and learning efficiency improved.Anorexia occurred in 18 cases, mood disorder in 5 cases, depression in 2 cases, nocturia, muscle tremors, involuntary tongue movement each occurred in 1 case. P-R interval prolongation and atrial premature contraction were found in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONAtomoxetine hydrochloride showed good effects in patients with narcolepsy on excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy and night sleep disorders, the effects on hallucinations and sleep paralysis were not significant. Adverse reactions were slight, anorexia and mood disorder were common. As a non-central nervous system stimulant, atomoxetine hydrochloride does not induce drug dependence and has no prescription limits; it has good tolerability, safety and effectiveness, it can be a good alternative in treatment of children with narcolepsy.

Adolescent ; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cataplexy ; drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Narcolepsy ; drug therapy ; Neuroimaging ; Polysomnography

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment process of narcolepsy and epilepsy co-existence, and thereby to improve awareness of such cases.

METHODThe clinical manifestations of 2 cases were observed, and video-electroencephalogram (VEEG), multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) were performed. Hypocretin 1 level in cerebrospinal fluid was examined in one case.

RESULTThe onset of disease of case one was started with epilepsy with myoclonic seizure. After half a year, catalepsy induced by emotion especially laughing and excessive daytime sleepiness appeared. MSLT was positive and hypocretin 1 level decreased. Narcolepsy-cataplexy was definitely diagnosed in this case. Valproate was given and seizure was controlled completely, but the excessive daytime sleepiness was aggravated. Combination of valproate, methylphenidate and clomipramine treatment improved the symptoms of narcolepsy and the patient was still free of epileptic seizures. The onset symptoms of case 2 were catalepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. MSLT was positive. The treatment was ineffective because of bad compliance. After 2 years, episodes of impairment of consciousness with automatism occurred. VEEG showed slow waves and spikes in right temporal area. Complex partial seizure was determined. Oxcarbazepine was used and then the patients became seizures free, but the symptoms of narcolepsy were still obvious.

CONCLUSIONComorbidity of narcolepsy and epilepsy is a rare phenomenon. Clinical symptoms, predisposing factor, VEEG and MSLT can help diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The antiepileptic drugs might aggravate drowsiness. Based on therapy of epilepsy by using antiepileptic drugs, low dosage of central nervous system stimulants might improve the drowsiness and catalepsy symptoms of narcolepsy.

Adolescent ; Anticonvulsants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Brain Waves ; physiology ; Central Nervous System Stimulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsies, Myoclonic ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Male ; Narcolepsy ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Neuropeptides ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Orexins ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Stages ; physiology ; Treatment Outcome

A 4-yr-old girl has exhibited severe snoring, restless sleep and increasing daytime sleepiness over the last 3 months. The physical examination showed that she was not obese but had kissing tonsils. Polysomnography demonstrated increased apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 5.2, and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) showed shortened mean sleep latency and one sleep-onset REM period (SOREMP). She was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. After the surgery, her sleep became much calmer, but she was still sleepy. Another sleep test showed normal AHI of 0.2, the mean sleep latency of 8 min, and two SOREMPs. Diagnosis of OSA to be effectively treated by surgery and narcolepsy without cataplexy was confirmed. Since young children exhibiting both OSA and narcolepsy can fail to be diagnosed with the latter, it's desirable to conduct MSLT when they have severe daytime sleepiness or fail to get better even with good treatment.
Adenoidectomy ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child, Preschool ; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Methylphenidate/therapeutic use ; Narcolepsy/complications/*diagnosis/surgery ; Polysomnography ; Republic of Korea ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/*diagnosis/drug therapy/surgery ; Tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVENarcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucination and sleep paralysis, with abnormal characteristics of shorter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency. The management of the patients is very important. The present study focused on the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods and long-term prognosis of this particular syndrome.

METHODSThe clinical data of 39 narcoleptic children were analyzed. Sleep EEG monitoring was performed in all patients. Among the 39 cases, 23 were followed up.

RESULTSAll the patients manifested with excessive daytime sleepiness, with disrupted nocturnal sleep occurring in 35 cases. Cataplexy appeared in 36 cases, and sleep paralysis in 9, hypnagogic hallucination in 19, and automatic behavior in 6 cases, respectively. Sleep EEG monitoring demonstrated a short mean sleep latency (< 5 minutes) and two or more sleep onset REM periods (SOREMPs) in 38 cases. Twenty-three of the 39 cases were followed-up. Seventeen cases were followed-up for over one year. The longest follow-up duration was 14 years. Methylphenidate was administered in 10 cases. The excessive daytime sleepiness had been improved in 7 cases (70%). No obvious adverse effects were found. Psychosocial and academic problems appeared in most cases.

CONCLUSIONNarcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. A definite diagnosis is established when the symptoms of cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness occur in association with the characteristic findings on sleep EEG monitoring. Appropriate drug therapy and psychosocial management are of help for such patients. Stimulant medication is an important component of the overall treatment program. A comprehensive approach is necessary to meet the needs of children with narcolepsy. Family education and emotional support are key elements in the management plan. The overall goal for managing childhood narcolepsy is to assist the child and family in achieving optimal quality of life.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Narcolepsy ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Polysomnography

The case of a 19-year-old man with coexistent narcolepsy and psychotic symptoms was presented. The psychotic symptoms were induced and / or exacerbated by methylphenidate. In addition, they were considered as symptoms of schizophrenia which had been developed regardless of the use of methylphenidate. The case illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing and treating, in particular, pharmacotherapy.
Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Methylphenidate ; Narcolepsy* ; Schizophrenia ; Young Adult