Dr. Mignot's study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the August 6 issue of Cell, opens the door to identification of the narcolepsy gene in humans and to development of new treatment approaches and possibly a cure for this disabling sleep disorder.

As important, this is the first time that the recently discovered family of brain neuropeptides known as hypocretins has been identified as a significant player in regulating sleep. This represents a giant step toward understanding the molecular basis of sleep, a major aim of sleep research at the National Institutes of Health. This discovery not only links a gene to a disease, but paves the way to an improved understanding of the fundamental nature of sleep and its contribution to human health and well-being and ultimately should help us treat and possibly prevent many other sleep disorders as well.

Attachment: Stanford Researchers Nab Gene for Sleep Disorder