Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
Reduced hypothalamic gray matter in narcolepsy with cataplexy
J Buskova1, M Vaneckova, K Sonka
1Department of Neurology, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic. vankjit@seznam.cz
Objectives:
Narcolepsy with cataplexy is associated with a loss of hypocretin. The question is, if there is an autoimmune or neurodegenerative process selectively killing the hypothalamic hypocretin-containing neurons or if these cells survive but fail to produce hypocretin. To support one of these hypothesis we aimed to detect structural changes in the hypothalamus of narcoletic patients.
Materials And Methods:
Nineteen narcoleptic patients were compared to 16 healthy controls. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM), an unbiased MRI morphometric method with a high sensitivity for subtle changes in gray and white matter volumes to investigate hypothalamic region in this condition.
Results:
Classical MRI protocol revealed no structural abnormalities, but using VBM we found significant reduction in hypothalamic gray matter volumes between patients and controls.
Conclusions:
VBM showed hypothalamic gray matter loss in narcolepsy with cataplexy. This suggest that functional abnormalities of hypocretin neurons in narcolepsy are associated with structural changes of hypothalamus.
More Related Videos
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
07:03Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
Published on: July 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Narcolepsy
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Understanding Sleep
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...