What is the role of orexin (hypocretin) in narcolepsy?

Orexin, also called hypocretin, is a chemical in the brain that plays a crucial role in keeping us awake and alert. It acts like a switch that helps us stay awake during the day and sleep at night. In people with narcolepsy, the brain does not produce enough orexin. This lack of orexin makes it hard for them to stay awake, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness.

How Orexin Works

• Awake and Alert: Orexin helps keep the brain awake and attentive. It sends signals to different parts of the brain to maintain alertness.
• Sleep Regulation: It also helps in regulating sleep patterns, ensuring a balance between sleep and wakefulness.

Narcolepsy and Orexin

• Low Orexin Levels: People with narcolepsy often have very low levels of orexin in their brains.
• Symptoms: This deficiency causes symptoms like sudden sleep attacks and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Understanding the role of orexin in narcolepsy helps in developing treatments that aim to increase orexin levels or mimic its action to help people with narcolepsy stay awake and alert.