Narcolepsy and Its Comorbidities: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment

Narcolepsy represents a significant and complex disorder within the spectrum of sleep disorders, notable for its debilitating impact on daily functioning due to symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and sleep fragmentation. The pathophysiology of narcolepsy is not entirely understood, but it is believed to result from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. The disorder is classified into two types: narcolepsy type I (NT1), which is associated with hypocretin-1 deficiency, and narcolepsy type II (NT2), the mechanism of which is less understood. Despite significant advances in the field, there is a global delay of over ten years in the diagnosis of narcolepsy, leading to severe disabilities. Furthermore, the quality of life of people with narcolepsy is often negatively impacted by various comorbidities.

This Research Topic aims to significantly enhance the current understanding of narcolepsy by focusing on three primary areas: elucidating pathophysiological differences between its types, addressing the protracted delay in its diagnosis, and improving overall management strategies. We seek to parse the intricate genetic, environmental, and immunological interactions that precipitate narcolepsy, with particular attention to the underexplored narcolepsy type II. We will explore systemic delays in diagnosis across global healthcare landscapes and strategize for more effective early detection and diagnosis methods. Furthermore, this Research Topic intends to scrutinize the nature of narcolepsy's comorbidities, assessing their toll on well-being and how this knowledge can refine current treatments.

To effectively broaden and deepen our knowledge in these aspects of narcolepsy, we welcome submissions of various types of manuscripts supported by the journal (including Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, Protocols, Mini-Review, Original Research, etc.) addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Genetic and environmental underpinnings for narcolepsy development.
- Immunological aspects of narcolepsy.
- Functional anatomy and pathophysiology of narcolepsy.
- Role of the orexin signal in the genesis of reward defects in narcolepsy-I
- Analysis of diagnostic delays in narcolepsy and their systemic causes.
- Narcolepsy type-II - is it narcolepsy?
- Identification and description of comorbidities and their impact on life quality in narcolepsy patients.
- Conditions and non-sleep symptoms associated with narcolepsy
- Mental health consequences of narcolepsy
- Narcoleptic symptoms in neurodegenerative conditions
- Assessment of treatment efficacy, from pharmacological solutions to educational interventions.

Articles accepted after peer review will be published and appear online as soon as they are approved for publication.

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Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: narcolepsy, hypocretin, sleep disorders, comorbidities, genetics, environment, treatment, educational strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.