Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that leads to periods of intense sleepiness during the daytime. It is a chronic disease of the central nervous system.

People suffering from narcolepsy often experience bouts of overwhelming sleepiness and may fall asleep for brief periods of time during the day.
These sleeping periods may last from a few seconds to several minutes and in some cases may last up to an hour or more. Those with narcolepsy can fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, during a meal or even while driving a vehicle.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is the main symptom and is present in 100% of patients with narcolepsy. Other primary symptoms of narcolepsy include:

• Loss of muscle tone
• Distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations)
• Inability to move or talk

The treatment of narcolepsy includes drug and behavioral therapies. Treatment options are individualized depending on the severity of the symptoms, life conditions (for example, type of work or responsibilities) of the patients, and the specific goals of therapy.