Narcolepsy is an Autoimmune Disorder

hypocretin narcolepsy autoimmune disorderIMPORTANT UPDATE: Narcolepsy Finding Retracted but Autoimmune Theory and Epidemiological Association to Influenza/H1N1 Vaccine Remain Strong

A recent study confirms that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. Dr. Elizabeth Mellins and Dr. Emmanuel Mignot of Stanford University’s Center for Narcolepsy have discovered a specific group of  “CD4+ T Cells” that target hypocretin and are only found in people with narcolepsy. The results also validate the link between narcolepsy and H1N1 flu virus and vaccine. Read Scientific American article for more details.

We have suspected narcolepsy’s autoimmune origin for a while – but it’s great to take one BIG step closer to understanding the neurological degeneration underlying narcolepsy’s insidious onset. Narcolepsy affects 1 in every 2,000 people worldwide but it is extremely underdiagnosed and misunderstood.

Not only is this an exciting advancement for narcolepsy, but it’s also an exciting advancement for all of science – as narcolepsy is the first neurological autoimmune disorder to be identified. This will likely help lead to advancements in many disease areas.

Thank you to the scientists for helping to build a brighter future for all those with narcolepsy!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Narcolepsy Finding Retracted but Autoimmune Theory and Epidemiological Association to Influenza/H1N1 Vaccine Remain Strong

2 Comments

  1. Adam on December 23, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    What a great article! I find that people really don’t understand Narcolepsy at all. As we both know, people think that it’s just being tired…. “go drink some coffee” etc. It’s really difficult being a 21 year old college student and having narcolepsy when I am just dead tired all the time because of our crazy schedules.

    But, I just wanted to say that I love this blog and I am thinking about buying your book because it seems great as I train for my first marathon in Pittsburgh in May!

  2. Gail Pean on December 24, 2013 at 2:20 am

    Wonderful news in the world of neurological research. Your financial contribution has made a difference Julie. Keep fundraising for research!!

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