Etiology of narcolepsy:a review of the literature / 国际儿科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Narcolepsy is a disabling sleep disorder characterized mainly by irresistible excessive daytime sleepiness.It seriously influences patient's academic,family,and social function.The etiology of narcolepsy is still elusive,but the hereditary and environmental factors have been suggested to contribute the most.It is a multi-gene regulation disease,the researches of Human Leucocyte Antigen(HLA) gene type HLA-DQB1 * 0602 and HLA-DRB1 * 1501 are most popular in recent years.Especially the HLA-DQB1 * 0602 is regard as the major HLA susceptibility allele for narcolepsy almost in all ethnic groups.And the hypocretin excreting neurons and the hypocretin's deficits would directly lead to somnolence.Some environmental factors which are newly found these years are still playing important roles,such as the contact with certain antigens,infection of beta hemolytic streptococcus,passive smoking and so on.