#Narcolepsy and cataplexy in dogs full

Mutation is an autosomal recessive with full penetrance, ie both parents must have mutation for offspring to be affected. Familial cases: mutations in one of hypocretin/orexin receptors, hypocretin receptor 2 genes.Deficiency in hypocretin/orexin neurotransmission, either by loss of hypocretin ligands or function of hypocretin receptor 2.If clinical symptoms are not manageable and quality of life is severely affected, owner may decide on euthanasia. Narcoleptic dogs can be kept as pets with proper treatment and understanding of disease. Prognosis: neither progressive nor life threatening, but clinical signs persist throughout life.Treatment: anti-cataplectic medication.Measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin-1 levels useful for positive diagnosis in sporadic cases. No salivation, incontinence, spasm, cyanosis or dyspnea during cataplexy. Cataplexy needs to be differentiated from similar clinical signs eg epileptic seizures and syncope. Attacks are often described as collapses, buckling of legs, drooping of neck, motionless immobility. Cataplexy is sudden onset of weakening of muscle tonus most typically elicited by emotional excitations. Mutations in hypocretin receptor 2 in familial cases and loss of hypocretin/orexin peptides in sporadic cases. Pathophysiology: abnormal transition to slow wave sleep and REM sleep, due to impaired hypocretin/orexin neurotransmission.Both familial (autosomal recessive) and sporadic cases observed.Dogs usually remain conscious during cataplexy, but cataplexy can be followed by sleep (unconsciousness), especially REM sleep. In humans, laughing or anger often triggers cataplexy, while in dogs most typically elicited by presentation of food or by play.In narcoleptic dogs most obvious symptom is cataplexy.

Human narcolepsy characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (ie emotionally-elicited sudden loss of muscle tone that often leads to collapse) and other rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-related abnormalities (hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis).Relatively rare prevalence in dogs not known (human narcolepsy affects 0.02 to 0.18% of general population).Chronic sleep disorder that affects dogs and humans.

Narcolepsy and cataplexy in dogs