Brainstem hyperexcitability during cataplexy.
The exact cause of narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome remains unclear; however, the recent discovery of hypocretin deficiency in the lateral hypothalamus of narcoleptic patients has increased our understanding of its etiology. The authors performed masseter reflex, tibial F response, and blink reflex excitability studies during and between attacks in a 66-year-old man with status cataplecticus. Masseter reflex and F responses were inhibited while the blink reflex R2 component was enhanced during attacks, suggesting either hyperexcitability or disinhibition of pontine and/or medullary interneurons but hypoexcitability of pontine and spinal motor neurons during cataplexy.
Quinto
Christine
C
Hudson Neurosciences, Bayonne 07002, New Jersey, USA.
Danielsson
Ingela
I
Gellido
Charles
C
Sander
Howard
H
Chokroverty
Sudhansu
S
D000368:Aged; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002385:Cataplexy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology