Canine narcolepsy

Abstract

Canine narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the appearance and organization of sleep. It is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy and hypnagogic hallucinations. In Doberman and Labrador breeds, narcolepsy is transmitted hereditarily by the canarc-1 recessive gene, which has complete penetrance and causes a mutation in the receptor for hypocretin-2, a neuropeptide that prevents entry into REM sleep by activating specific neurons. Diagnosis can be achieved by observing the symptoms. Cataplexy is a key factor for diagnosis of narcolepsy and must be carefully distinguished from other neurological diseases and reversible paralytic disorders. Treatment is palliative and based on the administration of stimulants of the central nervous system (CNS) and tricyclic antidepressants.