ScholarWorks@성균관대학교

초록

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and other symptoms caused by a deficiency in the neuropeptide hypocretin/orexin. Neuroimaging techniques like voxel-based morphometry (VBM), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), functional MRI (fMRI), and PET/SPECT offer insights into the structural, functional, and neurochemical alterations underlying narcolepsy. VBM studies have consistently shown gray matter reductions in brain regions implicated in sleep-wake regulation, such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, and frontal cortices in narcolepsy patients. DTI studies have revealed alterations in white matter integrity, particularly in areas like the frontal and temporal lobes, corpus callosum, and thalamus. fMRI studies have highlighted abnormal activation patterns in the amygdala, ventral striatum, and other limbic regions during emotional processing and cataplexy episodes, implicating these areas in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy. PET/SPECT studies have demonstrated hypoperfusion and hypometabolism in the hypothalamus, thalamus, and other brain regions involved in sleep-wake regulation. These neuroimaging findings provide valuable insights into the neuroanatomical and functional changes associated with narcolepsy, contributing to a better understanding of the disorder’s pathophysiology and potentially aiding in the development of targeted diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. However, further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between genetic, neurochemical, and structural factors in narcolepsy, and to explore the potential of neuroimaging as a diagnostic tool.

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