Posts tagged Sleeping Beauty syndrome
Articles and news from the latest research reports.
New Treatment for ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Syndrome?
Most of us have experienced it: that dull, dragging semi-conscious state of deadened awareness and desperate urge to nap that comes from sleep deprivation. For people with primary hypersomnia, however, this is the way they go through life, constantly feeling only half-awake but never able to get enough good sleep to arise truly refreshed. Also known as “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome,” the condition leaves those with the worst cases languishing in bed in what seems like the opposite of a fairy tale, without a prince’s kiss to cure them.
But a new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests both a possible cause and a potential treatment for the condition, which may ultimately lead to treatments for other sleep disorders. The origin of primary hypersomnia, which has some genetic components is still unknown, as is the number of people who are affected by it.
One particularly striking form of the disease, Kleine-Levin syndrome, produces such tiredness and sleep-drunkenness that people are unable to attend school or work. In males, it can include hypersexual behavior, compulsive masturbation, a desire for promiscuous sex or making inappropriate sexual advances, all while in a sleepy, semi-conscious state.
In the latest study, researchers led by David Rye of Emory University in Atlanta studied 10 men and 22 women seeking treatment for primary hypersomnia. In the patients’ spinal fluid, the scientists discovered a previously uncharacterized chemical that stimulates the GABA-A receptor. This receptor is best known as the site where sleep-inducing drugs like Valium and Xanax have their effects, since activating GABA-A receptors can result in drowsiness.
The finding suggested a possible treatment. A drug, known as flumanezil can treat Valium and Xanax overdoses or to reverse the effects of related compounds used in anesthesia. Could it block or reverse the effects of the unknown agent that was activating GABA-A receptors in primary hypersomnia?
The authors conducted a brief placebo controlled trial with seven patients—including one with Kleine-Levin symptoms — to find out. Indeed, injections of flumanezil improved the participants’ ability to pay attention and remain alert. One participant has now taken the drug daily for four years. “Although her nightly sleep duration remained at 9 to 10 hours, she nearly always awakened refreshed without an alarm and daytime sleepiness was markedly reduced,” the researchers write.
Teenager Suffering From “Sleeping Beauty” Syndrome
Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare sleep disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of excessive sleep and altered behaviour. People affected by this syndrome may sleep for up to 20 hours per day (hypersomnia), waking only to eat or go to the bathroom. The start of each episode is characterised by progressive drowsiness and episodes may last for days, weeks, or even months.
During episodes, other symptoms experienced include:
- Compulsive overeating
- Irritability
- Disorientation
- Lack of energy
- Lack of emotion
- Hypersensitivity to noise and light
- Impulsive behaviour
- Hallucinations
- Abnormally uninhibited sex drive.
Episodes are debilitating and during an episode normal daily activities, such as work or school, stop. On recovery, total or partial loss of memory (amnesia) of what has happened is usual. There may be a short period of depression, or sometimes euphoria and sleeplessness. Episodes may not occur for weeks, months or even years, but then reappear without warning.
Between episodes, physical and mental health is usually normal. There appears to be no relationship between Kleine-Levin syndrome and other neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. This syndrome occurs mostly in young males between the ages of 15 and 25 years. It is uncommon after the age of 40 years. The cause of Kleine-Levin syndrome is unknown.
Diagnosis and Treatment
As disturbance of sleep and altered behaviour may accompany a number of physical and psychiatric conditions, diagnosis of Kleine-Levin syndrome is often difficult and delayed. In order to make an accurate diagnosis a careful medical history needs to be taken and tests to rule out other conditions should be performed. These tests may include blood tests and sleep studies.
The person may be referred to various specialists, including a psychiatrist and neurologist. The neurologist will undertake an evaluation of the nervous system to exclude structural abnormalities of the brain. The psychiatrist will look at any underlying behavioural problems.
Currently there is no formal treatment for Kleine-Levin syndrome due to the lack of knowledge regarding its underlying cause. Stimulant medications, such as amphetamines, may be prescribed to treat sleepiness. Medications to treat mood disturbances and depression may also be recommended.
(Source: Southern Cross)