title: Epilepsy and narcolepsy-cataplexy in a child.
abstract: We report a 5-year-old boy with epilepsy and narcolepsy-cataplexy. He developed myoclonic seizures at the age of 4 years, which manifested as head shaking to the left. Approximately 6 months later, narcolepsy-cataplexy with excessive daytime sleepiness occurred. Although a short-time electroencephalography (EEG) and 24-hour ambulatory EEG monitoring found epileptiform discharges, no seizures were determined. Oxcarbazepine was used and led to increased attacks. Video EEG testing finally confirmed the diagnosis of epilepsy; therefore, valproate was given and seizures were controlled completely. Typical cataplexy triggered by laughing, together with the positive multiple sleep latency tests confirmed a diagnosis of narcolepsy-cataplexy. Human leukocyte antigens DQB1*0602 was positive, and the hypocretin level in cerebrospinal fluid was found to be decreased. Combination of valproate, methylphenidate, and clomipramine treatment improved the symptoms of both narcolepsy-cataplexy and seizure. The coexistence of both disorders in this single patient indicated that there might be a common mechanism between epilepsy and narcolepsy-cataplexy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhixian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaosong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Jiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications*