Nocturnal REM Sleep Without Atonia Is a Diagnostic Biomarker of Pediatric Narcolepsy

Symptomatic treatment of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD): A consensus from the international RBD study group - Treatment and trials working group

Rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia causing motor behaviors and vocalizations during sleep, which can lead to injuries in patients and their bed partners. Adult-onset RBD generally precedes a neurodegenerative synucleinopathy, while other cases can be associated with antidepressant use, neurotrauma and narcolepsy. The management of RBD relies on the systematic identification of etiologic and contributing factors, implementation of safety measures, appropriate pharmacotherapy and counseling, which should be patient-centered. In this manuscript, we summarize the evidence on the management of RBD. We summarize the evidence supporting the use of clonazepam, melatonin, rivastigmine, and pramipexole, the four agents currently recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. For each agent and for alternative therapies, we discuss efficacy, dosing, adverse effects and indications. We integrate the current knowledge on therapies in RBD in treatment algorithms that can guide providers in choosing the most appropriate initial therapy, and alternative options based on the course of symptoms and comorbidities. There is a large need for additional, well tolerated therapies for reducing RBD symptoms. The last section of this manuscript discusses current challenges and unmet needs, as well as future directions in developing therapies and improving the care of patients with RBD.

Use of Portable 24-Hour Polysomnography as Alternative Diagnostic Tool for Narcolepsy Type 1 in Adults and Children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) currently requires the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), or a nocturnal sleep-onset REM period (SOREMP) combined with typical cataplexy, or alternatively the determination of CSF hypocretin-1 (CSF-hcrt-1) deficiency. We evaluated the 24-hour polysomnography (PSG) recordings in adult and pediatric patients as an alternative diagnostic tool.

METHODS

Patients of any age, referred to the narcolepsy center of a university hospital for suspected central disorder of hypersomnolence (CDH), were consecutively recruited between 2013 and 2022. Participants underwent 2 days (day1-night1-day2-night2) of continuous dynamic PSG followed by MSLT. When consent was given, CSF-hcrt-1 was measured. The accuracy of 24-hour PSG variables from night1 and day2 (index test) was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in identifying NT1 based on current criteria (applied to night2-PSG, MSLT, and CSF-hcrt1). The markers with area under the curve (AUC) ≥0.75 were then tested in adults and children, separately, and to diagnose NT1 and narcolepsy type 2 (NT2) in different scenarios.

RESULTS

Eight hundred seven patients (30.1% pediatric, 52.4% male) were included, and 709 had CSF-hcrt-1 measured. According to the standard criteria, 322 were diagnosed with NT1 (mean age 26.7 ± 17.1 years, 40.4% pediatric, 54.0% male) and 484 with non-NT1 (mean age 32.7 ± 16.5 years, 23.3% pediatric, 51.3% male), encompassing 31 with NT2, 163 with idiopathic hypersomnia, and 281 with other diagnoses. Detecting SOREMP ≥1 during daytime resulted in AUC = 0.84 (95% CI 0.82-0.87), with 84.4% sensitivity and 84.5% specificity for NT1. Performance was superior to all nighttime-PSG measures (p < 0.001) including nighttime-SOREMP (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI 0.74-0.80; sensitivity = 62.1%, specificity = 91.7%) and did not differ from 24-hour SOREMP ≥1 (AUC = 0.85, 95% CI 0.82-0.87; sensitivity = 89.7%, specificity = 80.2%). The combination of daytime-SOREMP ≥1 with cataplexy showed AUC = 0.89 (95% CI 0.86-0.91) for NT1, superior to the combination of nighttime-SOREMP with cataplexy (AUC = 0.78, 95% CI 0.76-0.81, p < 0.001) and similar to MSLT criteria for narcolepsy (AUC = 0.90, 95% CI 0.88-0.92, p = 0.36). Performances were similar in adults and children. Daytime-SOREMP ≥1 identified NT1 and NT2 combined within all CDH with a sensitivity of 80.8% and specificity of 88.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of daytime-SOREMP during dynamic 24-hour PSG is more accurate than nighttime-SOREMP for diagnosing narcolepsy and, combined with cataplexy, is comparable with MSLT criteria for the identification of NT1. These results offer the prospect of 24-hour PSG diagnostics for NT1 in the home setting.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class II evidence that daytime SOREMP during a 24-hour PSG accurately distinguishes NT1 in patients with a clinical history of possible cataplexy from those who do not have NT1.

Narcolepsy and rapid eye movement sleep

Since the first description of narcolepsy at the end of the 19th Century, great progress has been made. The disease is nowadays distinguished as narcolepsy type 1 and type 2. In the 1960s, the discovery of rapid eye movement sleep at sleep onset led to improved understanding of core sleep-related disease symptoms of the disease (excessive daytime sleepiness with early occurrence of rapid eye movement sleep, sleep-related hallucinations, sleep paralysis, rapid eye movement parasomnia), as possible dysregulation of rapid eye movement sleep, and cataplexy resembling an intrusion of rapid eye movement atonia during wake. The relevance of non-sleep-related symptoms, such as obesity, precocious puberty, psychiatric and cardiovascular morbidities, has subsequently been recognized. The diagnostic tools have been improved, but sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods on polysomnography and Multiple Sleep Latency Test remain key criteria. The pathogenic mechanisms of narcolepsy type 1 have been partly elucidated after the discovery of strong HLA class II association and orexin/hypocretin deficiency, a neurotransmitter that is involved in altered rapid eye movement sleep regulation. Conversely, the causes of narcolepsy type 2, where cataplexy and orexin deficiency are absent, remain unknown. Symptomatic medications to treat patients with narcolepsy have been developed, and management has been codified with guidelines, until the recent promising orexin-receptor agonists. The present review retraces the steps of the research on narcolepsy that linked the features of the disease with rapid eye movement sleep abnormality, and those that do not appear associated with rapid eye movement sleep.

Clinical features and mechanisms of neck myoclonus in narcolepsy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neck myoclonus (NM) on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy (NT) and to further explore possible underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

We included 72 patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), 34 patients with narcolepsy type 2 (NT2) and 33 healthy controls. Patients underwent questionnaires, lumbar puncture procedure, polysomnography, and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). Healthy controls underwent polysomnography and questionnaires. Orexin-A levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Three catecholamines, including dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, in the CSF were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Both the NT1 and NT2 groups displayed a higher level of NM incidence rate and index compared to the control group in PSG. NT1 displayed greater MSLT REM--NM incidence rate and index than NT2. NM were often associated with arousal or awakening and body movements, which had a prominent influence on sleep quality in both narcoleptic patients and controls. There was a positive correlation between the NM index and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) and Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale (UNS) scores in NT1 patients. In MSLT of NT1 patients, REM-NM index were positively correlated with the CSF dopamine levels, and there were elevated dopamine levels but reduced orexin-A levels in patients with REM-NM.

CONCLUSION

NM incidence rate and index were high in patients with narcolepsy, which had a huge effect on sleep quality and aggravated daytime sleepiness. NM should be considered pathological and viewed as a new sleep-related movement disorder. Orexin-A and dopamine may be involved in the development of NM.

Role of Daytime Continuous Polysomnography in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Narcolepsy Type 1

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is still largely underdiagnosed or diagnosed too late in children. Difficulties in obtaining rapid and reliable diagnostic evaluations of the condition in clinical practice partially explain this problem. Predictors of NT1 include cataplexy and sleep-onset REM periods (SOREMPs), documented during nocturnal polysomnography (N-PSG) or through the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), although low CSF hypocretin-1 (CSF hcrt-1) is the definitive biological disease marker. Obtaining reliable MSLT results is not always feasible in children; therefore, this study aimed to validate daytime continuous polysomnography (D-PSG) as an alternative diagnostic tool.

METHODS

Two hundred consecutive patients aged younger than 18 years (112 with NT1; 25 with other hypersomnias, including narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia; and 63 with subjective excessive daytime sleepiness) were randomly split into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 133) for the identification of diagnostic markers and group 2 (n = 67) for the validation of the detected markers. The D-PSG data collected included the number of spontaneous naps, total sleep time, and the number of daytime SOREMPs (d-SOREMP). D-PSG data were tested against CSF hcrt-1 deficiency (NT1 diagnosis) as the gold standard using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in group 1. ROC diagnostic performances of single and combined D-PSG parameters were tested in group 1 and validated in group 2.

RESULTS

In group 1, the areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) were 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.96) for d-SOREMPs, 0.81 (95% CI 0.74-0.89) for the number of spontaneous naps, and 0.70 (95% CI 0.60-0.79) for total sleep time. A d-SOREMP count ≥1 (sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 72%), coupled with a diurnal total sleep time above 60 minutes (sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 91%), identified NT1 in group 1 with high reliability (area under the ROC curve of 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.97). These results were confirmed in the validation group with an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI 0.79-0.97).

DISCUSSION

D-PSG recording is an easily performed, cost-effective, and reliable tool for identifying NT1 in children. Further studies should confirm its validity with home D-PSG monitoring. These alternative procedures could be used to confirm NT1 diagnosis and curtail diagnostic delay.

Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence

OBJECTIVE

The goals of this article are to describe the clinical approach to and management of patients with central disorders of hypersomnolence, and to understand and differentiate available diagnostic tools.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Updated clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence and narcolepsy specifically highlight new treatment options. Approval for a lower-sodium oxybate formulation that contains 92% less sodium than the standard sodium oxybate for the treatment of narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia adds to the number of medications available for these disorders, allowing for a more tailored management of symptoms.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Central disorders of hypersomnolence are characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness that impacts daily functions. These disorders can be differentiated by obtaining a detailed clinical sleep history and by a thoughtful interpretation of sleep diagnostic testing. Tailoring treatment approaches to meet the needs of individuals and accounting for medical and psychiatric comorbidities may improve quality of life.

Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Narcolepsy types 1 and 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia are primary Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders of hypersomnolence characterized by profound daytime sleepiness and/or excessive sleep need. Onset of symptoms begins typically in childhood or adolescence, and children can have unique presentations compared with adults. Narcolepsy type 1 is likely caused by immune-mediated loss of orexin (hypocretin) neurons in the hypothalamus; however, the causes of narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia are unknown. Existing treatments improve daytime sleepiness and cataplexy but there is no cure for these disorders.

Rapid eye movement sleep duration during the multiple sleep latency test to diagnose hypocretin-deficient narcolepsy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess the performances of alternative measures of the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) to identify hypocretin-deficiency in patients with a complaint of hypersomnolence, including patients with narcolepsy.

METHODS

MSLT parameters from 374 drug-free patients with hypersomnolence, with complete clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) assessment and cerebrospinal hypocretin-1 measurement were collected. Conventional (sleep latency, number of sleep onset REM-SOREM-periods) and alternative (sleep duration, REM sleep latency and duration, sleep stage transitions) MSLT measures were compared as function of hypocretin-1 levels (≤110 vs > 110 pg/mL). We performed receiver-operating characteristics analyses to determine the best thresholds of MSLT parameters to identify hypocretin-deficiency in the global population and in subgroups of patients with narcolepsy (i.e. typical cataplexy and/or positive PSG/MSLT criteria, n = 223).

RESULTS

Patients with hypocretin-deficiency had shorter mean sleep and REM sleep latencies, longer mean sleep and REM sleep durations and more direct REM sleep transitions during the MSLT. The current standards of MSLT/PSG criteria identified hypocretin-deficient patients with a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.69, and 0.81/0.99 when combined with cataplexy. A mean REM sleep duration ≥ 4.1 min best identified hypocretin-deficiency in patients with hypersomnolence (AUC = 0.932, sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.86) and ≥ 5.7 min in patients with narcolepsy (AUC = 0.832, sensitivity 0.77, specificity 0.82).

CONCLUSION

Compared to the current neurophysiological standard criteria, alternative MSLT parameters would better identify hypocretin-deficiency among patients with hypersomnolence and those with narcolepsy. We highlighted daytime REM sleep duration as a relevant neurophysiological biomarker of hypocretin-deficiency to be used in clinical and research settings.

Quantification of REM sleep without atonia: A review of study methods and meta-analysis of their performance for the diagnosis of RBD

The present review focuses on REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) scoring methods. In consideration of the numerous papers published in the last decade, that used different methods for the quantification of RSWA, their systematic revision is an emerging need. We made a search using the PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science Databases, from 2010 until December 2021, combining the search term "RSWA" with "scoring methods", "IRBD", "alfasyn disease", and "neurodegenerative disease", and with each of the specific sleep disorders, diagnosed according to current criteria, with the identification of the references of interest for the topic. Furthermore, a Meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of RSWA scoring methods, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, was carried out. The comparison of the hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic curves obtained for visual methods and that obtained for the automated REM sleep atonia index (RAI), shows substantially similar prediction areas indicating a comparable performance. This systematic review and meta-analysis support the validity of a series of visual methods and of the automated RAI in the quantification of RSWA with the purpose to guide clinicians in the interpretation of their results and their correct and efficient use within the diagnostic work-up for REM sleep behavior disorder.

Trazodone affects periodic leg movements and chin muscle tone during sleep less than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in children

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that children taking trazodone have less leg movements during sleep (LMS) and higher rapid eye movement (REM) sleep atonia than children taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but more than normal controls.

METHODS

Fifteen children (9 girls and 6 boys, mean age 11.7 years, standard deviation [SD] 3.42) taking trazodone (median dosage 50 mg/d, range 25-200 mg) for insomnia and 19 children (11 girls and 8 boys, mean age 13.7 years, SD 3.07) taking SSRIs for depression, anxiety, or both were consecutively recruited, as well as an age- and sex-matched group of 25 control children (17 girls and 8 boys, mean age 13.7 years, SD 3.11). LMS were scored and a series of parameters was calculated, along with the analysis of their time structure. The Atonia Index was then computed for each non-REM sleep stage and for REM sleep.

RESULTS

Children taking trazodone exhibited slightly higher leg movement indices than controls but lower than those found in children taking SSRIs and their time structure was different. Chin electromyogram atonia in all sleep stages was not significantly altered in children taking trazodone but was decreased in children taking SSRIs, especially during non-REM sleep.

CONCLUSIONS

In children, SSRIs but not trazodone are associated with a significantly increased number of LMS, including periodic LMS, and increased chin tone in all sleep stages. The assessment of periodic limb movement disorder and REM sleep without atonia might not be accurate when children are taking SSRIs because of their significant impact.

CITATION

DelRosso LM, Mogavero MP, Bruni O, Schenck CH, Fickenscher A, Ferri R. Trazodone affects periodic leg movements and chin muscle tone during sleep less than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in children. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(12):2829-2836.

Disrupted nighttime sleep and sleep instability in narcolepsy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to summarize current knowledge about disrupted nighttime sleep (DNS) and sleep instability in narcolepsy, including self-reported and objective assessments, potential causes of sleep instability, health consequences and functional burden, and management.

METHODS

One hundred two peer-reviewed publications from a PubMed search were included.

RESULTS

DNS is a key symptom of narcolepsy but has received less attention than excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. There has been a lack of clarity regarding the definition of DNS, as many sleep-related symptoms and conditions disrupt sleep quality in narcolepsy (eg, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, nightmares, restless legs syndrome/periodic leg movements, nocturnal eating, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety). In addition, the intrinsic sleep instability of narcolepsy results in frequent spontaneous wakings and sleep stage transitions, contributing to DNS. Sleep instability likely emerges in the setting of orexin insufficiency/deficiency, but its exact pathophysiology remains unknown. DNS impairs quality of life among people with narcolepsy, and more research is needed to determine its contributions to cardiovascular risk. Multimodal treatment is appropriate for DNS management, including behavioral therapies, counseling on sleep hygiene, and/or medication. There is strong evidence showing improvement in self-reported sleep quality and objective sleep stability measures with sodium oxybate, but rigorous clinical trials with other pharmacotherapies are needed. Treatment may be complicated by comorbidities, concomitant medications, and mood disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

DNS is a common symptom of narcolepsy deserving consideration in clinical care and future research.

CITATION

Maski K, Mignot E, Plazzi G, Dauvilliers Y. Disrupted nighttime sleep and sleep instability in narcolepsy. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):289-304.

The Genetics of Sleep Disorders in Children: A Narrative Review

Sleep is a universal, highly preserved process, essential for human and animal life, whose complete functions are yet to be unravelled. Familial recurrence is acknowledged for some sleep disorders, but definite data are lacking for many of them. Genetic studies on sleep disorders have progressed from twin and family studies to candidate gene approaches to culminate in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Several works disclosed that sleep-wake characteristics, in addition to electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep patterns, have a certain degree of heritability. Notwithstanding, it is rare for sleep disorders to be attributed to single gene defects because of the complexity of the brain network/pathways involved. Besides, the advancing insights in epigenetic gene-environment interactions add further complexity to understanding the genetic control of sleep and its disorders. This narrative review explores the current genetic knowledge in sleep disorders in children, following the International Classification of Sleep Disorders-Third Edition (ICSD-3) categorisation.

Increased Chin Muscle Tone during All Sleep Stages in Children Taking SSRI Antidepressants and in Children with Narcolepsy Type 1

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To assess if selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are able to modify the chin EMG tone during sleep also in children.

METHODS

Twenty-three children and adolescents (12 girls, mean age 14.1 years, SD 2.94) under therapy with antidepressant for their mood disorder were consecutively recruited and had a PSG recording. Twenty-one were taking were taking SSRI and treatment duration was 2-12 months. An age- and sex matched group of 33 control children (17 girls, mean age 14.2 years, SD 2.83) and 24 children with narcolepsy type 1 (12 girls, mean age 13.7 years, SD 2.80) were also included. The Atonia Index was then computed for each NREM sleep stage and for REM sleep, also all EMG activations were counted.

RESULTS

Atonia Index in all sleep stages was found to be significantly reduced in children with narcolepsy followed by the group taking SSRI antidepressants and the number of EMG activations was also increased in both groups. Fluoxetine, in particular, was found to be significantly associated with reduced Atonia index during NREM sleep stages N1, N2, and N3, and with increased number of EMG activations/hour during sleep stage N3.

CONCLUSIONS

Similarly to adults, SSRI antidepressants are able to modify the chin EMG tone also in children during REM sleep, as well as during NREM sleep stages. Different pharmacological properties of the different SSRI might explain the differential effect on chin tone during sleep found in this study.

Single center analysis of patients with H1N1 vaccine-related narcolepsy and sporadic narcolepsy presenting over the same time period

STUDY OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe the clinical features of narcolepsy in patients referred to our sleep center between 2009 and 2016, and to compare these features across age groups and between sporadic vs AS03-adjuvanted H1N1 influenza vaccine-related patients.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, consecutive study of adult and pediatric narcolepsy patients in the Republic of Ireland. All participants underwent structured assessments, including polysomnography and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, hypocretin levels, and human leukocyte antigen typing were also carried out on the majority of patients. Patients were compared across age groups as well as etiology.

RESULTS

The conditions of 40 (74%) patients were vaccine-related. The median age was 13.5 years and time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 112 weeks. Median time from vaccination to symptom onset was 26 weeks. In children, hypnogogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis were less frequent than in adults (17% vs 67%, P = .018 and 0% vs 75%, P < .0005). Sleep latency determined by the Multiple Sleep Latency Test was shorter in children than adults (median 1.75 vs 4 minutes, P = .011). Patients with vaccine-related and sporadic narcolepsies had typical clinical presentations. Vaccine-related patients had longer polysomnography latency (median 10.5 vs 5 minutes, P = .043), longer stage N2 sleep (209.6 ± 44.6 vs 182.3 ± 34.2 minutes, P = .042), and a trend toward longer total sleep times (P = .09). No differences were noted in relation to Multiple Sleep Latency Test, hypocretin, human leukocyte antigen typing, and magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Results show that vaccine-related patients greatly outnumbered sporadic patients during the study period and suggest that sporadic and vaccine-related narcolepsy are clinically similar entities.

Nocturnal Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Without Atonia can Be a Diagnostic Parameter in Differentiating Narcolepsy Type 1 From Type 2

PURPOSE

We aimed to compare rapid eye movement sleep without atonia (RSWA), tonic RSWA, and phasic RSWA indices during polysomnography as a potential biomarker between narcolepsy type 1 and type 2.

METHODS

Medical files, polysomnography, and multiple sleep latency tests of patients with narcolepsy were evaluated retrospectively. A total of three adolescents and 31 adult patients were included. We calculated the total number of rapid eye movement (REM) epochs with tonic and phasic activity in accordance with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine manual scoring rules, version 2.4. We defined tonic RSWA index as the ratio of total number of REM sleep stage epochs with only tonic activity to total REM sleep stage epochs, phasic RSWA index as the ratio of total number of REM sleep stage epochs with only phasic activity to total REM sleep stage epochs, and RSWA index as the ratio of total number of REM stage sleep epochs with RSWA to total REM sleep stage epochs on the polysomnography.

RESULTS

Clinically and polysomnographically diagnosed 25 patients with narcolepsy type 1 and 9 patients with narcolepsy type 2 were included. The median age of the subjects was 30 (10, 61) and 36 (18, 64), respectively. Eleven narcolepsy type 1 patients (44%) and 4 narcolepsy type 2 patients (44.44%) were women. The RSWA index of ≥ 3% yielded a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 88.9% (AUC = 0.77 (0.09), 95% confidence interval = 0.58 to 0.97, p = 0.01), and the tonic RSWA index of ≥ 2.2% yielded a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 77.8% (area under the curve = 0.74 (0.1), 95% confidence interval = 0.54-0.94, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

As an electrophysiological biomarker, RSWA and tonic RSWA indices can be sensitive and specific polysomnography parameters in distinguishing narcolepsy type 1 from narcolepsy type 2.

Combining information on nocturnal rapid eye movement sleep latency and atonia to facilitate diagnosis of pediatric narcolepsy type 1

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) at its onset in children and adolescents is often difficult, with substantial diagnostic delay. We aimed to test and validate the effectiveness of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency (REML), the REM sleep atonia index (RAI), and their combination for the automatic identification of pediatric patients with NT1 based on the standard scoring of nocturnal polysomnograms.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 71 pediatric patients with NT1 and 42 controls was subdivided in test and validation cohorts. A novel index (COM) was developed as a nonlinear function of REML and RAI. The effectiveness of REML, RAI, and COM in identifying patients with NT1 was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

REML, RAI, and COM significantly identified patients with NT1 both in the test and validation cohorts. Optimal thresholds that maximized identification accuracy were estimated in the test cohort (REML, 49.5 min; RAI, 0.91; COM, 4.57 AU) and validated in the other cohort. COM performed significantly better in identifying patients with NT1 than either REML or RAI, with ROC area under the curve of 94%-100%, sensitivity 85%-96%, and specificity 92%-100%, and with good night-to-night agreement (Cohen's k = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of REML, RAI, and particularly their combination in the COM index may help shorten diagnostic delay of NT1 in children and adolescents based on the standard scoring of nocturnal polysomnography.

To split or to lump? Classifying the central disorders of hypersomnolence

The classification of the central disorders of hypersomnolence has undergone multiple iterations in an attempt to capture biologically meaningful disease entities in the absence of known pathophysiology. Accumulating data suggests that further refinements may be necessary. At the 7th International Symposium on Narcolepsy, a group of clinician-scientists evaluated data in support of keeping or changing classifications, and as a result suggest several changes. First, idiopathic hypersomnia with long sleep durations appears to be an identifiable and meaningful disease subtype. Second, idiopathic hypersomnia without long sleep time and narcolepsy without cataplexy share substantial phenotypic overlap and cannot reliably be distinguished with current testing, and so combining them into a single disease entity seems warranted at present. Moving forward, it is critical to phenotype patients across a wide variety of clinical and biological features, to aid in future refinements of disease classification.

Defining disrupted nighttime sleep and assessing its diagnostic utility for pediatric narcolepsy type 1

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Disrupted nighttime sleep (DNS) is a core narcolepsy symptom of unconsolidated sleep resulting from hypocretin neuron loss. In this study, we define a DNS objective measure and evaluate its diagnostic utility for pediatric narcolepsy type 1 (NT1).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, multisite, cross-sectional study of polysomnograms (PSGs) in 316 patients, ages 6-18 years (n = 150 NT1, n = 22 narcolepsy type 2, n = 27 idiopathic hypersomnia, and n = 117 subjectively sleepy subjects). We assessed sleep continuity PSG measures for (1) their associations with subjective and objective daytime sleepiness, daytime sleep onset REM periods (SOREMPs), self-reported disrupted nocturnal sleep and CSF hypocretin levels and (2) their predictive value for NT1 diagnosis. We then combined the best performing DNS measure with nocturnal SOREMP (nSOREMP) to assess the added value to the logistic regression model and the predictive accuracy for NT1 compared with nSOREMP alone.

RESULTS

The Wake/N1 Index (the number of transitions from any sleep stage to wake or NREM stage 1 normalized by total sleep time) was associated with objective daytime sleepiness, daytime SOREMPs, self-reported disrupted sleep, and CSF hypocretin levels (p's < 0.003) and held highest area under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUC) for NT1 diagnosis. When combined with nSOREMP, the DNS index had greater accuracy for diagnosing NT1 (AUC = 0.91 [0.02]) than nSOREMP alone (AUC = 0.84 [0.02], likelihood ratio [LR] test p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Wake/N1 Index is an objective DNS measure that can quantify DNS severity in pediatric NT1. The Wake/N1 Index in combination with or without nSOREMP is a useful sleep biomarker that improves recognition of pediatric NT1 using only the nocturnal PSG.

Nocturnal events in children: When and how to evaluate

Nocturnal events of wide variety and concern are frequently reported by patients and their caregivers. To evaluate suspected abnormal events, primary care physicians must first be familiar with normal behaviors, movements and breathing patterns. Abnormal nocturnal events can then be categorized as nocturnal seizure, parasomnia, sleep-related movement disorder or sleep-related breathing disorder. Diagnoses in the above categories can be made clinically; however, it is important to know when to refer for additional evaluation. Comprehensive literature review was undertaken of nocturnal and sleep-related disorders. This guide reviews nocturnal seizures, normal and abnormal nonepileptic movements and behaviors, discusses broad indications for referral for electroencephalography (EEG) or polysomnography (PSG), and guides counseling and management for patients and their families, ultimately aiding in interpretation of both findings and prognosis. Epilepsy syndromes can result in seizures during sleep or adjacent periods of wakefulness. Parasomnias and sleep-related movement disorders tend to also occur in childhood and may be distinguished clinically. Referral to additional specialists for specific studies including EEG or PSG can be necessary, while other times a knowledgeable and vigilant clinician can contribute to a prompt diagnosis based on clinical features. Nocturnal events often can be managed with parental reassurance and watchful waiting, but treatment or evaluation may be needed. Sleep-related breathing disorders are important to recognize as they present very differently in children than in adults and early intervention can be life-saving. This review should allow both primary and subspecialty non-neurologic pediatric and adolescent health care providers to better utilize EEG and PSG as part of a larger comprehensive clinical approach, distinguishing and managing both epileptic and nonepileptic nocturnal disorders of concern while fostering communication across providers to facilitate and coordinate better holistic long-term care of pediatric and adolescent patients.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Children With Type 1 Narcolepsy Treated With Sodium Oxybate

Objective

To study the effect of stable treatment with sodium oxybate (SO) on nocturnal REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) that severely affected children with type 1 narcolepsy (NT1).

Methods

Nineteen children and adolescents with NT1 (9 female, mean age 12.5 ± 2.7 years, mean disease duration 3.4 ± 1.6 years) underwent neurologic investigations and video-polysomnography (v-PSG) at baseline and after 3 months of stable treatment with SO. v-PSG was independently analyzed by 2 sleep experts to rate RBD episodes. RSWA was automatically computed by means of the validated REM sleep atonia index (RAI).

Results

Compared to baseline, RAI significantly improved (p < 0.05) and complex movements during REM sleep were remarkably reduced after stable treatment with SO. Compared to baseline, children also reported improvement in clinical complaints and showed a different nighttime sleep-stage architecture.

Conclusions

RBD and RSWA improved after treatment with SO, pointing to a direct role of the drug in modulating motor control during REM sleep.

Classification of Evidence

This study offers Class IV evidence of the positive effect of SO on modulation of muscle atonia during REM sleep in children with NT1 because of the absence of a control group.

Neuropsychiatric Correlates of Narcolepsy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The complex nature of narcolepsy symptoms, along with the use of stimulants and anticataplectic medications, poses diagnostic difficulties in terms of underlying neuropsychiatric comorbidities. This study reviews recent evidence for the association between narcolepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. We also critically analyze studies that have addressed the neuropsychiatric correlates of patients with narcolepsy, with a discussion of the possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking narcolepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common among patients with narcolepsy as narcolepsy and some neuropsychiatric disorders share common clinical features. This may create challenges in making the correct diagnosis, and hence result in a delay in starting appropriate treatment. Comorbid neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with narcolepsy include depression, anxiety, psychosis, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, and cognitive impairment. Although hypocretin deficiency has been proposed as a pathophysiological mechanism underlying both narcolepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders, further research is necessary to identify the exact mechanisms. Narcolepsy patients often manifest comorbid neuropsychiatric symptoms, which makes the diagnosis difficult. Therefore, it is essential to address neuropsychiatric symptoms in the clinical care of patients with narcolepsy.

Pediatric polysomnography-A review of indications, technical aspects, and interpretation

Polysomnography is an elaborate diagnostic test composed of numerous data-collecting sensors working concomitantly to aid in the evaluation of varied sleep disorders in all age groups. Polysomnography is the study of choice for the assessment of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, central apnea, and hypoventilation disorders, and is used to help determine treatment efficacy. Beyond the purview of snoring and breathing pauses, polysomnography can elucidate the etiology of hypersomnolence, when associated with a multiple sleep latency test, and abnormal movements or events, whether nocturnal seizure or complex parasomnia, when a thorough patient history cannot provide clear answers. This review will highlight the multitudinous indications for pediatric polysomnography and detail its technical aspects by describing the multiple neurophysiologic and respiratory parametric sources. Knowledge of these technical aspects will provide the practitioner with a thoughtful means to understand the limitations and interpretation of polysomnography.

REM sleep behavior disorder in narcolepsy: A secondary form or an intrinsic feature?

Disrupted nighttime sleep is one of the pentad of symptoms defining Narcolepsy. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) largely contributes to night sleep disruption and narcolepsy is the most common cause of secondary RBD. However, RBD linked to narcolepsy (N-RBD) has been insufficiently characterized, leaving unsolved a number of issues. Indeed, it is still debated whether N-RBD is an intrinsic feature of narcolepsy, as indubitable for cataplexy, and therefore strictly linked to the cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin-1 (CSF hcrt-1) deficiency, or an associated feature, with a still unclear pathophysiology. The current review aims at rendering a comprehensive state-of-the-art of N-RBD, highlighting the open and unsettled topics. RBD reportedly affects 30-60% of patients with Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), but it may be seen also in Narcolepsy type 2 (NT2). When compared to idiopathic/isolated RBD (iRBD), N-RBD has been reported to be characterized by less energetic and quieter episode, which however occur with the same probability in the first and the second part of the night and sometime even subcontinuously. N-RBD patients are generally younger than those with iRBD. N-RBD has been putatively linked to wake-sleep instability due to CSF hcrt-1 deficiency, but this latter by itself cannot explain completely the phenomenon as N-RBD has not been universally linked to low CSF hcrt-1 levels and it may be observed also in NT2. Therefore, other factors may probably play a role and further studies are needed to clarify this issue. In addition, therapeutic options have been poorly investigated.

Sleep Medicine: Parasomnias

Parasomnias are abnormal and undesirable behaviors during sleep and are thought to be due to the sleep state instability. Some of them are benign, while some of them point to a possible underlying neurodegenerative process. This article briefly discusses the clinical characteristics, demographics, and pathophysiology of major parasomnias and associated disorders. The classification outlined in this article conforms to the current version of International Classification of Sleep disorders.