As most people with narcolepsy are probably aware, current treatments are designed to help manage symptoms rather than treating the underlying cause of the condition itself.
Recent advancements, however, have pinpointed a hypocretin deficiency as the cause of narcolepsy and led to studies to treat this cause and, possibly, lead to a cure.
Possibilities currently being investigated include:
- substitution of the natural neuropeptide
- engineering hypocretin receptor agonists
- hypocretin cell transplantation
- gene therapy
It’s been a decade since scientists began looking at these approaches, but no effective treatments have come of it. Hope should not be lost, however, because there have been advancements in the understanding of the hypocretin system. For example: We now know hypocretin neurons are located in the brain and spinal cord.
While applying hypocretin to the brain and spinal cored directly can increase wakefulness and suppress cataplexy, it’s difficult to apply anything directly to the brain or spinal cord in humans (for what I hope are obvious reasons). Unfortunately, applying the same therapies to the surrounding areas results in poor absorption.
Thankfully, scientists have discovered that intranasal delivery (through the nose) might be a possibility. So, again, hope should not be lost and advancements are being made. If you’d like to read more about current advancements in therapy, click here then tell us what you think.
