Immunological and Genetic Aspects of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy has long been known to be associated with specific Human Leukocyte Antigen variants, and therefore expected to be an autoimmune disorder. For many years, it proved difficult to detect evidence of such a process, but recent studies are making progress on genetic susceptibility factors, as...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juliette Faraco, Emmanuel Mignot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Society of Sleep Medicine 2011-08-01
Series:Sleep Medicine Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sleepmedres.org/upload/pdf/smr-2-2-39.pdf
Description
Summary:Narcolepsy has long been known to be associated with specific Human Leukocyte Antigen variants, and therefore expected to be an autoimmune disorder. For many years, it proved difficult to detect evidence of such a process, but recent studies are making progress on genetic susceptibility factors, as well as potential environmental triggers. New results are also emerging on the presence of specific autoantibodies in the disorder, as well as phenotypic and potential pathophysiologic overlap with other autoimmune disorders. These results are the focus of this review.
ISSN:2093-9175
2233-8853