Narcolepsy - Future Treatment Options

Future Treatment Options

Permanent cure for narcolepsy may exist in the future with the replacement of deficient chemical hypocretin in the brain

Currently, researchers are working with a gene they believe is responsible for narcolepsy. A parallel has been drawn between the human gene map and the genes of dogs suffering narcolepsy. It was found that both humans and dogs experiencing the condition suffered from an inadequacy of hypocretin, a chemical in the brain.

Research is on-going to understand the outcome of treatment measures employing doses of hypocretin on narcoleptic and cataleptic dogs. It might take a while before the benefits of this treatment can be employed on humans.

References:

1. Narcolepsy Fact Sheet - (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm)
2. Narcolepsy - (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcolepsy/DS00345)
3. About Narcolepsy - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcolepsy)