[Pathophysiology of Narcolepsy].

Narcolepsy is primarily characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, which is the cardinal symptom. Additional associated symptoms include cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and nocturnal sleep fragmentation. Narcolepsy is classified into two subtypes: type 1, which is caused by the loss of orexin-producing neurons, and type 2, the pathophysiology of which remains unclear.

Currently, no curative treatment exists; management is limited to symptomatic therapies. Recently, orexin receptor agonists have been developed and are undergoing evaluation in clinical trials.