Last post of the day " GN " Narcolepsy May be an Autoimmune Disorder

(((Narcolepsy is a disorder that is results in bouts of becoming tired or falling asleep during the day.)))

  A protein called Trib2 that is made by cells of the nervous system releases a chemical called hypocretin (hi-poe-kree-tin) that keep us awake. It has been established that people who have narcolepsy have lower levels of this chemical. But no one knew why narcoleptics had lower levels of hypocretin.

  But current research by scientists in Switzerland has demonstrated the presence of Trib2 antibodies at high levels in 120 individuals with narcolepsy. These antibodies see the nervous system cells that contain the hypocretin-releasing protein.

  This study demonstrates that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and develops antibodies against them. Diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis are the result of the body forming antibodies and attacking itself.

  Knowing the mechanism of action for a disorder or disease is important in developing treatments. In this same study, they also treated the patients with immunoglobulin, a common treatment for autoimmune diseases that affects the nervous system. Most of the patients who were treated after they showed the first symptoms of narcolepsy saw their disorder disappear.