title: Narcolepsy with cataplexy masked by the use of nicotine.
abstract: This report describes a case of narcolepsy with cataplexy masked by the chronic use of cigarettes and nicotine patches. It has been described that narcoleptic smokers report relief of symptoms by smoking tobacco cigarettes. In addition, a case describing partial treatment of sleepiness using a nicotine patch in an adolescent with narcolepsy was recently reported in this journal. Our case adds to the growing literature that nicotine may be used to manage symptoms associated with narcolepsy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sleep Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 425 East 61st Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10065, USA. mae2001@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ebben
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Krieger
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D017286:Polysomnography; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices