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Narcolepsy with cataplexy mimicry: the strange case of two sisters. Journal of clinical sleep medicine Pizza, F., Vandi, S., Poli, F., Moghadam, K. K., Franceschini, C., Bellucci, C., Cipolli, C., Ingravallo, F., Natalini, G., Mignot, E., Plazzi, G. 2013; 9 (6): 611-612

Abstract

We report on two sisters, 17 and 12 years of age, with clinical features suggesting narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC): daytime sleepiness, spontaneous and emotionally triggered sudden falls to the ground, and overweight/obesity. MSLT showed borderline sleep latency, with 1 and 0 sleep onset REM periods. HLA typing disclosed the DQB1*0602 allele. Video-polygraphy of the spells ruled out NC diagnosis by demonstrating their easy elicitation by suggestion, with wake EEG, electromyo-graphic persistence of muscle tone, and stable presence of tendon reflexes (i.e., pseudo-cataplexy), together with normal cerebrospinal hypocretin-1 levels. Our cases emphasize the need of a clear depiction of cataplexy pattern at the different ages, the usefulness of examining ictal neurophysiology, and collecting all available disease markers in ambiguous cases.Pizza F; Vandi S; Poli F; Moghadam KK; Fran-ceschini C; Bellucci C; Cipolli C; Ingravallo F; Natalini G; Mignot E; Plazzi G. Narcolepsy with cataplexy mimicry: the strange case of two sisters. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(6):611-612.

View details for DOI 10.5664/jcsm.2764

View details for PubMedID 23772196

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3659383