Childhood narcolepsy and autism spectrum disorders: four case reports

Sleep Med. 2018 Nov:51:167-170. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.07.017. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Abstract

Background: Childhood narcolepsy is associated with various emotional, behavioural and cognitive dysfunctions as well as with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders: anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and psychosis. A relationship between these conditions is unclear - comorbidity or similar pathophysiological mechanisms can be suggested.

Objective: We reported four children with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - Asperger syndrome (AS).

Results and conclusion: To the best of our knowledge co-occurrence of NT1 and AS has not been described in the literature as noted in this report.

Keywords: Asperger syndrome; Autism spectrum disorders; Comorbidity; Hypocretin; Narcolepsy type 1.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset*
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy
  • Asperger Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Comorbidity*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / drug therapy
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / diagnosis
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylphenidate / administration & dosage
  • Narcolepsy / complications*
  • Sleep Stages / physiology
  • Tic Disorders / diagnosis

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Methylphenidate

Supplementary concepts

  • Narcolepsy 1