Narcolepsy with cataplexy and Parkinson's disease. Case Report

We present the case of an 86 year old female, in whom narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC) manifested at 52 years of age. She was treated by an amphetamine-like drug phenmetrazine and tricyclic antidepressants for more than 10 years. Hypokinetic-rigid syndrome manifested at 83 years of age and Parkinson´s disease (PD) was diagnosed. Detailed examination at the age of 86 confirmed the previous diagnosis of NC and the diagnosis of PD. Severe periodic limb movements in sleep, severe sleep apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder and restless legs syndrome, which are frequently comorbid in NC and PD, were revealed. The patient's somnolence worsened, apparently accentuated by pramipexole treatment, as changing therapy to levodopa led to a reduction of sleepiness.