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Genetic study confirms the immune system's role in narcolepsy

Scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health have identified a gene associated with narcolepsy, a disorder that causes disabling daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, irresistible bouts of sleep that can strike at any time, and disturbed sleep at night.

Narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder, Stanford researcher says

STANFORD, Calif. -- Ten years ago, Stanford University School of Medicine scientist Emmanuel Mignot, MD, PhD, and his colleagues made headlines when they identified the culprit behind the sleep disorder narcolepsy.

Researchers pinpoint role of histamines in waking

A new study shows that brain cells containing the chemical histamine are critical for waking. The findings show that the cessation of activity in histamine cells causes loss of consciousness during sleep, while cessation of activity in other brain cells--those containing the brain chemicals norepinephrine or serotonin--causes loss of muscle tone in sleep. The findings also help explain why antihistamines, often taken to control allergies, cause drowsiness.



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