What Causes Narcolepsy?

It is believed that:

  • Narcolepsy type 1 (with cataplexy) occurs due to a loss of certain nerve cells that help balance sleep and wake states
    • The cause of narcolepsy type 2 (without cataplexy) is not known
  • This interferes with the sleep/wake cycle and can cause certain characteristics of sleep to occur while you are awake
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What Causes Narcolepsy?

The content on this site is not meant to replace a conversation with a sleep specialist. A sleep specialist can evaluate your symptoms and make a diagnosis.