Narcolepsy Type 1: Should We Only Target Hypocretin Receptor 2?

Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, vol. 7, pp. 28

Abstract

Nearly 25 years have passed since the ground-breaking discovery that hypocretin deficiency underlies human narcolepsy with cataplexy. Over time, it has become increasingly evident that hypocretin deficiency goes beyond the conventional core symptoms, or pentad, traditionally associated with narcolepsy. The emergence of hypocretin receptor 2 agonists presents an exciting opportunity, prompting us to explore the role of receptor 2 in the complete spectrum of NT1 symptoms. In this review, several clinical manifestations beyond the core symptoms will be discussed. We will outline what is currently known about the involvement of hypocretin receptors to reflect on what we expect with current knowledge from treatment with specific receptor agonists.

Authors 2

1. Rolf Fronczek Aachen Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

   Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Sleep-Wake Centre, 2103 SW Heemstede, The Netherlands

2. Gert Jan Lammers corresponding Aachen Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

   Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Sleep-Wake Centre, 2103 SW Heemstede, The Netherlands