Causes of Narcolepsy
Disease description:
Recently, my younger brother has been sleeping excessively—so much so that he cannot be awakened even when called. Our family immediately took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with narcolepsy. We would like to know the underlying causes of narcolepsy.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Gao Zongen
The exact cause of narcolepsy remains unclear, but it is likely associated with certain central nervous system factors—most notably, the selective loss of orexin-producing neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, which represents a characteristic pathological feature of narcolepsy. Additionally, infectious triggers and severe psychological stress may precipitate earlier disease onset. Furthermore, immune responses and environmental factors are also thought to contribute to its development.
