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ICSD-2 Hypersomnias

III.  Hypersomnias of Central Origin

         Narcolepsy with Cataplexy

         Narcolepsy Without Cataplexy

         Narcolepsy Due to Medical Condition Without Cataplexy

         Narcolepsy Due to Medical Condition With Cataplexy

         Narcolepsy, Unspecified

         Recurrent Hypersomnia

         Idiopathic Hypersomnia With Long Sleep Time

         Idiopathic Hypersomnia Without Long Sleep Time

         Behaviorally induced Insufficient Sleep Syndrome

         Hypersomnia Due to Medical Condition

         Hypersomnia Due to Drug or Substance (Abuse)

         Hypersomnia Due to Alcohol Use

         Hypersomnia Due to Drug or Substance (Medications)

         Hypersomnia Not Due to Substance or Known Physiological Condition

         Physiological (Organic) Hypersomnia, Unspecified

 

Testing for Hypersomnias

         Mean sleep latency < 8 minutes is considered diagnostic of sleepiness on MSLT

        Stopped using: < 5 min: sleepiness; 5-10 min: grey zone, indeterminate; > 10 min: normal

         Proper testing conditions for MSLT

        Free of drugs that influence sleep for at least 15 days (or at least 5 times the half-life of the drug and the longest acting active metabolite)

        Sleep wake schedule standardized for at least 7 days before the testing (and documented by sleep log or actigraphy)

        Nocturnal PSG on the night immediately preceding the MSLT to rule out other sleep disorders, and TST at least 6 hrs (but may need more)

        Clinically significant SRBD or PLMS may be present, and if so, should be treated prior to making any of these diagnoses

         Mean Sleep Latency

        3.1 +/- 2.0 min narcolepsy

        6.2 +/- 3.0 min idiopathic hypersomnia

        10.5 +/- 4.6 min healthy controls

        < 8 min in up to 30% of healthy people

         SOREMPs

        More specific for narcolepsy than MSL

        Also seen in 2% healthy controls, SDB

 

Narcolepsy with Cataplexy

         Diagnostic Criteria

        EDS almost daily for at least 3 months

        Definite cataplexy (sudden, transient loss of muscle tone triggered by emotions, bilateral, brief (<2 min), consciousness preserved, at least at the beginning)

        Diagnosis should be confirmed by

         PSG and MSLT

        MSL <= 8 min AND >=2 SOREMPs

         Or CSF hypocretin levels <= 110 pg/mL

         Classic symptoms: EDS, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis

        Also get automatic behaviors

        50% have nocturnal sleep disruption (mostly maintenance insomnia)

        Typically report sleep as refreshing, but EDS returns 2-3 hrs after nocturnal sleep or naps

         Increased risk for RBD

         Related to increased BMI and may result in OSA

         HLA DQB1*0602 seen in almost all patient with narcolepsy, but also in 12-38% of the general population

         Onset typically 15-25 yrs old.  EDS typically first symptom; cataplexy rarely precedes EDS and can occur many years later

         Caused by loss of hypothalamic neurons containing hypocretin

         PSG typically reveals SL < 10 min and a SOREMP (25-50%).  Often increased stage 1 and arousals

 

Narcolepsy Without Cataplexy

         Diagnostic Criteria

        EDS almost daily for at least 3 months

        Typical cataplexy is not present, although doubtful or atypical cataplexy episodes may be present

        Diagnosis MUST be confirmed by PSG and MSLT

         MSL <= 8 min AND >=2 SOREMPs

        CSF hypocretin levels are typically normal but may be low

         10-20% have decreased CSF hypocretin-1 levels

         In patients with normal hypocretin levels, the cause of narcolepsy without cataplexy is unknown, although 1 autopsy study reported a decrease in # of hypocretin cells, but not as low as narcolepsy with cataplexy

 

Narcolepsy Due to Medical Condition

Diagnostic Criteria

         EDS almost daily for at least 3 months

         One of the following:

        Definite cataplexy

        If not definite cataplexy, PSG & MSLT must be performed

         PSG reveals adequate sleep (at least 6 hrs)

         MSLT MSL < 8min and 2 or more SOREMPs

         CSF hypocretin-1 levels < 110pg/mL (provided pt is not comatose)

         Significant underlying medical or neurological condition

Narcolepsy with cataplexy:

        lesions of the hypothalamus

         tumors

         Strokes

         Sarcoidosis

        paraneoplastic encephalitis (anti-Ma2 antibodies)

        Nieman-Pick type C disease,

        Coffin Lowry Disease

     Narcolepsy without cataplexy

        head trauma

        multiple sclerosis

        myotonic dystrophy

        Prader-Will Syndrome

        Parkinson's

        multi-system atrophy

 

Recurrent Hypersomnia

         Diagnostic Criteria

        Recurrent EDS of 2 days to 4 weeks in duration

        Episodes recur at least once per year

        Normal alertness, cognitive function and behavior between attacks

         May sleep 16-18 hrs per day during episodes

         There are 2 well characterized subtypes:

        Kleine-Levin Syndrome

         Recurrent episodes are associated with behavioral abnormalities including binge-eating, hypersexuality, irritability, aggression, and cognitive abnormalities such as feelings of unreality, confusion, and hallucinations

        Menstrual related Hypersomnia

         Occurs within the first months of menarche

         Episodes generally last 1 week and rapidly resolve with menses

         OCPs generally lead to prolonged remission

 

 

Idiopathic Hypersomnia With Long Sleep Time

         Diagnostic Criteria

        EDS almost daily for at least 3 months

        Patient has prolonged nocturnal sleep time (>10 hrs) documented by interview, actigraphy or sleep logs.  Waking up is laborious

        PSG excludes other causes of EDS

        PSG demonstrates short SOL and major sleep period > 10 hrs

        MSLT demonstrates MSL < 8 min and < 2 SOREMPs

 

Idiopathic Hypersomnia Without Long Sleep Time

        Same except Sleep time 6-10 hrs

 

         Head trauma should not considered to be the cause of sleepiness

         Naps are typically unrefreshing

         Sleep drunkenness is common

         Autonomic nervous system abnormalities are common including:

        migrainous headaches

        orthostatic hypotension

        Raynaud’s phenomenon

         PSG generally demonstrates normal sleep of prolonged duration; SWS may be increased

         Brain imaging should be performed to rule structural lesions

         Psychiatric evaluation should be considered

 

 

Behaviorally induced Insufficient Sleep Syndrome

         Diagnostic Criteria

        EDS almost daily for at least 3 months

        Habitual sleep episode by history, sleep log or actigraphy is less than expected for age adjusted normative data

        Will typically sleep longer when not confined to their habitual sleep schedule (i.e. weekends)

        PSG not required (but if done) demonstrates SOL < 10 min & SE > 90%

        MSLT not required but may show MSL < 8 min with or without multiple SOREMPs

        Generally recommend to increase sleep time prior to PSG or MSLT

         if sxs resolve with increased sleep, diagnosis is confirmed

         The chronic sleep deprivation is voluntary but unintentional – typically not recognized by the patient

 

         Common in adolescence due to increased sleep need compared to adults but there is social pressure to sleep less

 

Hypersomnia Due to Medical Condition

         Diagnostic Criteria

        EDS almost daily for at least 3 months

        Presence of medical or neurological disorder to account for sxs

        If MSLT is performed, MSL < 8 min and no more than 1 SOREMP

        Parkinson's disease, head trauma, Prader-Willi Syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, lesions of the hypothalamus or brainstem (tumors, stroke, encephalitis)

        Medical causes include

         endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency)

         hepatic encephalopathy

         renal insufficiency

         pancreatic insufficiency

        Toxins include methylchloride, trichloroethylene and organic solvents

 

Other Hypersomnias

         Hypersomnia Due to Drug or Substance (Abuse)

         Hypersomnia Due to Alcohol Use

         Hypersomnia Due to Drug or Substance (Medications)

         Hypersomnia Not Due to Substance or Known Physiological Condition

         Physiological (Organic) Hypersomnia, Unspecified

 

Diagnosis

MSL

SOREMPs

Comments

Narcolepsy

(all types)

<= 8 min

2 or more

Naps often refreshing

Recurrent Hypersomnia

???

???

Normal between episodes

Idiopathic Hypersomnia

<= 8 min

< 2

Naps are unrefreshing

Behaviorally induced Insufficient Sleep Syndrome

<= 8 min

Variable

Symptoms improve with increasing TST

MSLT results if performed (not needed)

 

 

 

 

Reference:

The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Second Edition.  The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Press, 2005.  Can be purchased at the AASM store online!

 

 

 

                

 

 

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