Successful management of cataplexy with intravenous immunoglobulins at narcolepsy onset.
Hypocretin/orexin deficiency appears to be a consistent feature of narcolepsy with a putative autoimmune mechanism involved. We treated four hypocretin/orexin-deficient narcolepsy patients with intravenous immunoglobulins and assessed the efficacy by repeated polysomnographies and questionnaires. Three patients received the treatment within a few months after acute onset of narcolepsy. A clear improvement in the frequency and severity of cataplexy was obtained with a benefic effect up to 7 months without any anticataplectics drugs at follow-up. Our findings point to the importance of early diagnosis of narcolepsy, which once treated quickly may modify its long-term outlook.
Dauvilliers
Yves
Y
Service de Neurologie B, Hôpital Gui-de-Chauliac, Montpellier, France. y-dauvilliers@chu-montpellier.fr
Carlander
Bertrand
B
Rivier
François
F
Touchon
Jacques
J
Tafti
Mehdi
M
D000328:Adult; D002385:Cataplexy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous