Warning Signs Of Niemann-Pick Disease

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances may occur in individuals with type C Niemann-Pick disease. These symptoms often mimic the symptoms of narcolepsy, including cataplexy, which is an uncontrollable, sudden muscle weakness that occurs during the day, often because of a strong emotion like laughter or excitement. Cataplexy doesn't occur in all type C patients, but it has been reported in some. In one study, all of the five type C patients observed had disrupted sleep. They slept less, had decreased sleep efficiency, had less REM sleep, and had less delta sleep than the control group of healthy individuals. During delta sleep, patients would have sudden increases in their muscle tone. The reason for the sleep disturbances is theorized to be related to decreased hypocretin levels. There are two main hypocretins in the body, hypocretin-1 and hypocretin-2. Both are made by a hormone that may be deficient in Niemann-Pick disease patients. Hypocretin plays an important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

Discover additional Niemann-Pick disease warning signs now.