Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
High pain frequency in narcolepsy with cataplexy
Yves Dauvilliers1, Sophie Bayard, John M Shneerson
1Department of Neurology, Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, CHU Montpellier, National Reference Network for Orphan Diseases (Narcolepsy), Montpellier, France. ydauvilliers@yahoo.fr
Sleep Medicine
|May 17, 2011
Summary
Chronic pain is common in narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC), affecting one-third of patients. Pain significantly impacts sleep, depression, and quality of life in NC patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pain Research
Background:
- Narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC) is linked to hypocretin neuron loss.
- Hypocretins play a role in modulating nociceptive transmission.
- Understanding pain in NC is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of pain in NC patients.
- To investigate pain's determinants and impact on narcolepsy symptoms.
- To assess pain's effect on quality of life (QoL) in NC.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter case-control study involving 67 adult NC patients.
- Face-to-face interviews and validated questionnaires were used.
- Data collected included pain, narcolepsy symptoms, and QoL metrics.
Main Results:
- 32.8% of NC patients reported pain at least monthly, significantly higher than controls (17.9%).
- Pain frequency and impact were independent of narcolepsy medication.
- Sleep quantity and depression were key determinants of pain; chronic pain worsened these and QoL.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pain is significantly more prevalent and disabling in NC than in the general population.
- Physicians may underestimate the frequency and impact of pain in NC patients.
- Improved assessment and treatment of pain are essential for managing NC.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
01:20Pain
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Nightmares often...