Neuropsychiatric Correlates of Narcolepsy.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common among patients with narcolepsy as narcolepsy and some neuropsychiatric disorders share common clinical features. This may create challenges in making the correct diagnosis, and hence result in a delay in starting appropriate treatment. Comorbid neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with narcolepsy include depression, anxiety, psychosis, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, and cognitive impairment. Although hypocretin deficiency has been proposed as a pathophysiological mechanism underlying both narcolepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders, further research is necessary to identify the exact mechanisms. Narcolepsy patients often manifest comorbid neuropsychiatric symptoms, which makes the diagnosis difficult. Therefore, it is essential to address neuropsychiatric symptoms in the clinical care of patients with narcolepsy.