Narcolepsy News and Research

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Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, or dyssomnia. The condition is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in which a person experiences extreme fatigue and possibly falls asleep at inappropriate times, such as while at work or at school.

Study proposes novel treatment for narcolepsy

Lancet Neurology, a prestigious journal in its domain, publishes in its last issue, an article entitled "Pitolisant versus placebo and modafinil in patients with narcolepsy: a double-blind randomised trial" authored by Y. Dauvilliers and others from the HARMONY I study group which proposes a novel treatment for this orphan disease. It is accompanied by a Commentary entitled "A need for new treatments in narcolepsy".

10 Oct 2013

Lupin gets tentative approval from FDA for Armodafinil Tablets, Doxycycline Capsules

elsPharma Major Lupin Limited announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has received tentative approval for its Armodafinil Tablets, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg and 250 mg strengths as well as another tentative approval for its Doxycycline Capsules, 40 mg (30 mg Immediate-release and 10 mg Delayed-release) from the United States Food and Drugs Administration.

1 Aug 2013

Single dose of methylphenidate can reduce risk of falls among elderly adults

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers have discovered that a single dose of methylphenidate, used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and narcolepsy, helps to improve balance control during walking, hence reducing the risk of falls among elderly adults.

18 Jul 2013

Study shows possible biological cause of narcolepsy

In 2000, researchers at the UCLA Center for Sleep Research published findings showing that people suffering from narcolepsy, a disorder characterized by uncontrollable periods of deep sleep, had 90 percent fewer neurons containing the neuropeptide hypocretin in their brains than healthy people.

4 Jul 2013

Binge drinking more than 2 days per week is associated with insomnia symptoms

A new study suggests that frequent binge drinking is associated with insomnia symptoms in older adults.

11 Jun 2013

People with narcolepsy have increased number of neurons that produce histamine

A new study provides surprising evidence that people with narcolepsy have an increased number of neurons that produce histamine, suggesting that histamine signaling may be a novel therapeutic target for this potentially disabling sleep disorder.

4 Jun 2013

Study demonstrates link between workplace daylight exposure to sleep, quality of life

A new study demonstrates a strong relationship between workplace daylight exposure and office workers' sleep, activity and quality of life.

4 Jun 2013

Sleep deprivation increases men's perceptions of women's interest in sex

A new study suggests that one night of sleep deprivation leads to an increase in men's perceptions of both women's interest in and intent to have sex.

1 Jun 2013

Study suggests bright light therapy may improve sleep and brain function post mild TBI

A new study suggests that bright light therapy may improve sleep, cognition, emotion and brain function following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).

1 Jun 2013

Fatigue and sleep have predictive value for sports performance

Two new studies show that fatigue may impair strike-zone judgment during the 162 game Major League Baseball season, and a MLB player's sleepiness can predict his longevity in the league.

1 Jun 2013

Study: Sleep disturbance may contribute to depression risk by impairing emotion regulation

A new study provides neurobiological evidence for dysfunction in the neural circuitry underlying emotion regulation in people with insomnia, which may have implications for the risk relationship between insomnia and depression.

23 May 2013

Disturbed sleep in adolescents associated with depressed mood, uncertainty about future success

A new study suggests that disturbed sleep in adolescents is associated with more symptoms of depression and greater uncertainly about future success. However, perceived support and acceptance from parents and teachers appears to have a protective effect.

23 May 2013

New study finds association between sleep duration and suicide risk in insomnia

A new study found a relationship between sleep duration and suicidal thoughts in people with insomnia.

16 May 2013

Addressing sleep hygiene prior to CPAP initiation may help improve adherence

A new study suggests that regularity of bedtime prior to initiation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy is an important factor that may influence treatment compliance in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

8 May 2013

Study shows association between diet, sleepiness and alertness

A new study suggests that your level of sleepiness or alertness during the day may be related to the type of food that you eat.

8 May 2013

Study applying OPKO Health's technology to identify synthetic peptoid in NMO patient serum published

OPKO Health, Inc. today announced the publication of a study applying its novel library screening technology to identify a synthetic peptoid that binds to anti-Aquaporin 4 antibodies in the serum of patients with Neuromyelitis optica.

6 Apr 2013

Free online sleep disorders guide for all professionals in primary care

The National Sleep Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive free online sleep disorders resource for all professionals in primary care. The "Sleep Disorders" guide is the updated web version of Dr. Peter Hauri's book, The Sleep Disorders, first published in 1977.

3 Apr 2013

Boosting hypocretin could elevate both mood and alertness in humans

What makes us happy? Family? Money? Love? How about a peptide? The neurochemical changes underlying human emotions and social behavior are largely unknown. Now though, for the first time in humans, scientists at UCLA have measured the release of a specific peptide, a neurotransmitter called hypocretin, that greatly increased when subjects were happy but decreased when they were sad.

8 Mar 2013

Influenza vaccine linked to narcolepsy in children in England

Researchers have found an increased risk for narcolepsy in children who received the swine flu vaccination in England.

1 Mar 2013

Viewpoints: Considering baby boomers' future burden on Medicare; Holtz-Eakin endorses state exchanges; The value (or not) of mammograms

The Congressional Budget Office projects that if current policies continue, total federal spending will rise to 24 percent of gross domestic product in 2022. [Republicans and Washington deficit hawks'] proposed solution is a cap on government spending.

7 Dec 2012