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Narcolepsy & Tourettes

Narcolepsy & Tourettes. Ralph Jolly & Christian Nguyen. Narcolepsy. Background/History. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the part of the brain that regulates sleep.

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Narcolepsy & Tourettes

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  1. Narcolepsy & Tourettes Ralph Jolly & Christian Nguyen

  2. Narcolepsy

  3. Background/History • Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the part of the brain that regulates sleep. • First descriptions of narcolepsy-cataplexy were reported in Germany in the 1800’s. The unique association of muscle weaknesses triggered by excitement and sleepiness were described. • Patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle control.

  4. Causes • The cause of narcolepsy is not known. Scientists have identified genes that associate this disorder. These genes control chemicals in the brain that signal sleep and awake cycles. Researchers have discovered many abnormalities in parts of the brain involved with REM sleep. These abnormalities contribute to symptom development.

  5. Signs & Symptoms • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)- Mental cloudiness, lack of energy and concentration, depressed mood, and extreme exhaustion. • Cataplexy- sudden loss of muscle tone that leads to a feeling of weakness and loss of muscle control. Triggered by emotions such as surprise, laughter, and anger.

  6. Continued… • Hallucinations- Delusional experiences that are vivid and frightening. It’s primarily visual but other senses can be involved. • Sleep paralysis- the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. They occur in “episodes” which usually last a few seconds to several minutes.

  7. Diagnosis • Diagnosis for narcolepsy includes a physical exam and exhaustive medical history. Specialized tests for narcolepsy include the polysomnogram (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). Sleep disorders clinics and sleep labs are available for diagnosis of this condition.

  8. Treatment • There is no cure for this condition; the goal of treatment is to control the symptoms that are involved. Lifestyle changes and emotional counseling could help in work and social activities. Stimulant and anti-depressant drugs can help in regulating the symptoms of narcolepsy.

  9. Miscellaneous facts and similarities • Narcolepsy is a chronic condition. • It’s not a deadly condition; however, episodes may occur at any time which can lead to danger. • Narcolepsy is found in animals as well as humans.

  10. Sources • http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000802.htm

  11. Tourettes

  12. Background/History • Tourettes is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. • It is named after the French woman Dr. George Gilles de la tourette

  13. Causes • The causes for Tourettes are unknown but recent research points to abnormalities in parts of the brain. • These parts include the Cortex, Frontal Lobe, and Basal Ganglia.

  14. Signs & Symptoms • Signs and symptoms include tics, which are classified into simple and complex tics. • Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups. • More common simple tics include eye blinking and other eye movements, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking.

  15. Continued… • Other complex, dramatic tics include self harm such as punching ones self in the face, corprolalia (swearing) or echolalia (repeating words others say. • Other simple tics include clearing of the throat, grunting, barking, and snorting.

  16. Diagnosis • Tourettes (TS) is a diagnosis that doctors make after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least 1 year. • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT),   electroencephalogram (EEG) studies all can diagnose patients in rare cases.

  17. Treatment • There is no treatment for Tourettes but there can be some medication such as Neuroleptics in cases where functioning becomes hard. • The prognosis is it can improve in late teens and early twenties. The life expectancy is normal and it is not degenerative. Although the symptoms are chronic, people who have TS can live normal lives even without Neuroleptics

  18. Miscellaneous facts and similarities • TS does not affect a person's IQ. • Tics decrease in frequency and intensity during sleep. • TS & Narcolepsy is seen in all ethnic groups. • They are both conditions that cannot be controlled. • They both can occur at any time and in any situation.

  19. Sources • http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/ts.html • http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm

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