Sofiene Chenini

Preliminary results on CSF biomarkers for hypothalamic dysfunction in Kleine-Levin syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To measure CSF biomarkers of hypothalamic dysfunction in patients with typical Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) during symptomatic and asymptomatic periods. PATIENTS/METHODS Two patients with typical KLS were admitted during symptomatic and asymptomatic periods to a research Sleep Disorders Center. Cerebrospinalfluid (CSF) hypocretin-1, histamine (HA), and its major metabolite tele-methylhistamine (t-MHA) levels were measured in two KLS patients in and out of episode. RESULTS CSF biomarkers of hypothalamic dysfunction measured in two KLS patients in and out of episode revealed low hypocretin levels (within the narcolepsy-cataplexy range) during a hypersomnia episode in the more severe patient, and a 42% decrease (although within normal range) in the second patient. CSF HA and t-MHA measurements in and out of episode revealed a two-fold in-episode decrease in HA in the more severe patient, with no significant change for the second patient, nor for t-MHA levels. CONCLUSION We reported reversible changes in CSF hypothalamic biomarkers in a typical patient with KLS that reinforces the hypothesis that in some patients KLS episodes may be caused by recurrent functional alterations of the hypothalamus.

Temporal changes in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Level of Hypocretin-1 and Histamine in Narcolepsy.

Abstract Study Objectives: To follow the temporal changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker levels in narcoleptic patients with unexpected hypocretin level at referral. Methods: From 2007 to 2015, 170 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*06:02-positive patients with primary narcolepsy and definite (n = 155, 95 males, 60 females, 36 children) or atypical cataplexy (n = 15, 4 males, 3 children) were referred to our center. Cerebrospinal hypocretin deficiency was found in 95.5% and 20% of patients with definitive and atypical cataplexy, respectively. CSF hypocretin-1 (n = 6) and histamine/tele-methylhistamine (n = 5) levels were assessed twice (median interval: 14.4 months) in four patients with definite and in two with atypical cataplexy and hypocretin level greater than 100 pg/mL at baseline. Results: CSF hypocretin levels decreased from normal/intermediate to undetectable levels in three of the four patients with definite cataplexy and remained stable in the other (>250 pg/mL). Hypocretin level decreased from 106 to 27 pg/mL in one patient with atypical cataplexy, and remained stable in the other (101 and 106 pg/mL). CSF histamine and tele-methylhistamine levels remained stable, but for one patient showing increased frequency of cataplexy and a strong decrease (−72.5%) of tele-methylhistamine levels several years after disease onset. No significant association was found between relative or absolute change in hypocretin level and demographic/clinical features. Conclusions: These findings show that in few patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy, symptoms and CSF marker levels can change over time. In these rare patients with cataplexy without baseline hypocretin deficiency, CSF markers should be monitored over time with potential for immune therapies in early stages to try limiting hypocretin neuron loss.

Test–Retest Reliability of the Multiple Sleep Latency Test in Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence

Study Objectives To assess the test-retest reliability of the polysomnography-multiple sleep latency test (PSG-MSLT) diagnostic classification and measures and to study the determinants of its variability in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) or with noncataplectic central disorders of hypersomnolence (NCHS): type 2 (NT2), idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), and unspecified hypersomnolence (unspecified excessive daytime sleepiness [UnsEDS]). Methods PSG-MSLT in drug-free conditions was administered twice (median interval of 1.9 years) in 22 patients with NT1 (10 males, median age 31.2 years) and 75 patients with NCHS (32 males, median age 25.7 years). Results At the first PSG-MSLT, patients with NCHS were classified as having NT2 (22.7%), IH (26.7%), or UnsEDS (50.6%). A positive PSG-MSLT was confirmed in 72.7% of NT1. The classification consistency at retesting was significantly lower for the NT2 (47.1%), IH (25.0%), and UnsEDS (42.1%) categories than NT1 (81.3%). The between-test mean sleep latency (MSL) variability was significantly different in NT1 and NCHS, with higher changes in NT2 and lower in NT1. A longer test-retest interval was associated with improved MSL and MSLT normalization. Between-test variations in SOREMP number were associated with changes in nocturnal REM sleep parameters and MSL. No association was found with the clinical decision to repeat the evaluation or the disease clinical course. Conclusion The PSG-MSLT measures and classification are not stable in patients with NCHS, with frequent diagnostic changes, particularly for NT2 and IH, compared with NT1. MSLT needs to be repeated at regular intervals to confirm a stable hypersomnia and provide an accurate diagnosis of NT2 and IH.

Diagnostic criteria for disorders of arousal: A video-polysomnographic assessment: Disorders of Arousal

To assess video‐polysomnographic (vPSG) criteria and their cutoff values for the diagnosis of disorders of arousal (DOAs; sleepwalking, sleep terror).

Restless legs syndrome and cardiovascular diseases: A case-control study

Objective The association between restless legs syndrome (RLS), cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension is inconsistent. This case-control study examined i) the association between primary RLS, CVD and hypertension by taking into account many potential confounders and ii) the influence of RLS duration, severity and treatment, sleep and depressive symptoms on CVD and hypertension in primary RLS. Methods A standardized questionnaire to assess the RLS phenotype, history of CVD and hypertension, sleep and depressive symptoms, drug intake and demographic/clinical features was sent to the France-Ekbom Patients Association members. A CVD event was defined as a self-reported history of coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmia or stroke. Hypertension was also self-assessed. Current treatment for hypertension and arrhythmia also defined underlying hypertension and arrhythmia. Controls without RLS and without consanguinity were chosen by the patients. Results 487 patients with primary RLS (median age 71 years; 67.4% women) and 354 controls (68 years, 47.7% women) were included. Most of the patients (91.7%) were treated for RLS, especially with dopaminergic agonists. The median age of RLS onset was 45 years. CVD and hypertension were associated with RLS in unadjusted association, but not after adjustment for age, sex and body mass index. Patients with RLS and with CVD and/or hypertension were significantly older, with hypercholesterolemia, sleep apnea and older age at RLS and at daily RLS onset compared with patients without CVD and/or hypertension. No significant difference was found for other RLS features, ferritin levels, daytime sleepiness, insomnia and depressive symptoms. Conclusion Despite some limitations in the design of this study, we found that most of the treated patients for primary RLS had no association with CVD and hypertension after controlling for key potential confounders. Comorbid CVD or hypertension was associated with cardiovascular risk factors, but not with RLS features except for older age at onset.

Cardiac Sympathetic Activity differentiates Idiopathic and Symptomatic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder

The pathophysiology of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) associated with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is still poorly understood, potentially distinct from idiopathic RBD (iRBD), but may share affected common pathways. We investigated whether MIBG cardiac uptake differs between iRBD and NT1 comorbid with RBD. Thirty-four patients with NT1-RBD and 15 patients with iRBD underwent MIBG cardiac scintigraphy. MIBG uptake was measured by calculating the early and delayed heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratios. A delayed H/M ratio lower than 1.46 was considered abnormal based on a population of 78 subjects without neurological or cardiac diseases. Patients with iRBD were older, had an older RBD onset age and higher REM sleep phasic and tonic muscular activities than NT1-RBD. Lower delayed and early H/M ratios were associated with iRBD, but not with NT1-RBD, in crude and adjusted associations. The delayed H/M ratio differed between iRBD and controls, after adjustment, but not between patients with NT1-RBD and controls. In conclusion, the MIBG cardiac uptake difference between NT1-RBD and iRBD supports the hypothesis of different processes involved in RBD pathogenesis, providing for the first time a cardiac biomarker to differentiate those disorders.

Effect of psychostimulants on blood pressure profile and endothelial function in narcolepsy

Objective To assess the effect of psychostimulant treatments on the 24-hour blood pressure (BP) profile of patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). Methods Heart rate (HR) and BP were monitored for 24 hours and morning endothelial function was evaluated in 160 consecutive patients with NT1: 68 untreated (41 male, median age 34.9 years), 54 treated (32 male, median age 40.9 years), and 38 evaluated twice (21 male, median age 32 years), before and during treatment. Results Patients treated for NT1 showed higher 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime diastolic BP and HR values compared with the untreated group. Similarly, HR as well as 24-hour and daytime systolic BP were increased during treatment in the group evaluated twice. The combination of stimulant and anticataplectic drugs showed a synergistic effect on BP, without differences among stimulant categories. Based on 24-hour BP monitoring, hypertension was diagnosed in 58% of treated patients and in 40.6% of untreated patients. After adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index, the percentage of REM sleep remained associated with 24-hour hypertension in untreated and treated patients. Endothelial function was comparable in treated and untreated patients. Conclusions The finding that patients with NT1 treated with psychostimulants have higher diastolic BP and HR than untreated patients suggests an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases that requires careful follow-up and specific management.

Association between serum hepcidin level and restless legs syndrome: RLS and Serum Hepcidin

Background: To better understand the role of iron homeostasis dysregulation in restless legs syndrome, we compared serum hepcidin and ferritin levels in drug‐free patients with primary restless legs syndrome and healthy controls and studied the relationship between hepcidin level and restless legs syndrome severity.

Alternative diagnostic criteria for idiopathic hypersomnia: A 32-hour protocol: Idiopathic Hypersomnia

To assess the diagnostic value of extended sleep duration on a controlled 32‐hour bed rest protocol in idiopathic hypersomnia (IH).