Electrophysiological brain stem investigations in idiopathic narcolepsy |
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Authors: | J J Marx P P Urban H C Hopf B Grün K Querings N Dahmen |
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Institution: | Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universit?t Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55101 Mainz, Germany Tel.: +49-6131-177063 Fax: +49-6131-173271, DE Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universit?t Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Strasse 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany, DE
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Abstract: | Narcolepsy is associated with various rapid eye movement (REM) sleep abnormalities. Distinct brain stem areas seem to play
a prominent role in REM sleep regulation. Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have led to conflicting findings
concerning the presence of structural brain stem lesions in patients with idiopathic narcoleptic syndrome. However, multimodal
electrophysiological brain stem investigations may reveal functional brain stem abnormalities even in the absence of MRI abnormality.
Therefore we investigated brain stem function in 12 idiopathic narcoleptic patients by systematically studying tegmental brain
stem pathways. All of the patients met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, with
typical changes in polysomnography and the multiple sleep latency test. Electrophysiological investigations comprised masseter
reflex, blink reflex, masseter inhibitory reflex, early auditory evoked potentials and electrooculography with vestibular
testing. In no patient were electrophysiological brain stem abnormalities observed. Our findings do not support the existence
of a relevant brain stem lesion in narcoleptic patients with normal neurological status.
Received: 23 September 1997 Received in revised form: 23 January 1998 Accepted: 10 February 1998 |
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Keywords: | Narcolepsy Brain stem function Brain stem lesion |
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