title: Narcolepsy in children.
abstract: Childhood narcolepsy is frequently under-diagnosed. Hypersomnolence may not always be accompanied by cataplexy, sleep paralysis, or hypnagogic hallucinations in the early stages. Pathophysiologic considerations revolve around an altered central nervous system catecholamine-acetylcholine balance. Both idiopathic and symptomatic forms have been described. Serial polysomnography and multiple sleep latency tests may be required to establish a definitive diagnosis. The long-term management requires the provision of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological forms of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotagal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D017286:Polysomnography; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology