Coexistence of narcolepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

TitleCoexistence of narcolepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsScammell TE, Matheson JK, Honda M, Thannickal TC, Siegel JM
JournalNeurobiol Aging
Volume33
Issue7
Pagination1318-9
Date Published2012 Jul
ISSN1558-1497
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Alzheimer Disease, Humans, Male, Narcolepsy
Abstract

A recent publication suggested that hypocretin (Hcrt, orexin) may mediate the neuropathological process leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that antagonism of hypocretin receptors decreases this process. Narcoleptics have an approximately 90% loss of Hcrt neurons and commensurate reductions in the levels of Hcrt in their cerebrospinal fluid beginning at disease onset, usually before the age of 30. If Hcrt mediates the disease process, narcoleptics should be protected against AD. We examined the postmortem neuropathology and clinical records of 12 sequentially encountered cases of human narcolepsy. We found that AD was present in 4 of these narcoleptics, a prevalence that is similar to that of the general population.

DOI10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.12.008
Alternate JournalNeurobiol. Aging
PubMed ID21257235
Grant ListMH64109 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
NS14610 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States