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Baclofen for narcolepsy with cataplexy: two cases.
Elliott Kyung Lee1, Alan Bruce Douglass1
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Nature and Science of Sleep
|August 8, 2015
Summary
Baclofen shows promise as an effective treatment for cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy. In a case study, two patients experienced significant symptom relief after trying baclofen when other treatments were not viable.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Cataplexy, a symptom of narcolepsy, involves emotional triggers causing muscle weakness.
- Current treatments for cataplexy include antidepressants and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), with GHB being highly effective but costly and having side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential efficacy of R-baclofen as a treatment for cataplexy in human patients.
- To report on the clinical experience of narcolepsy patients treated with baclofen.
Main Methods:
- Case report detailing the treatment of two narcolepsy patients with cataplexy.
- Patients had previously been treated with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) but discontinued due to medical reasons.
- Baclofen was administered to assess its effect on cataplexy episodes.
Main Results:
- Both patients experienced a near-complete resolution of daily cataplexy episodes after initiating baclofen treatment.
- This suggests baclofen may be a viable alternative for managing cataplexy.
Conclusions:
- Baclofen demonstrates potential as an effective treatment for cataplexy in humans.
- Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of baclofen for narcolepsy-cataplexy.
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