What Causes Narcolepsy?
Most people who have narcolepsy have low levels of
hypocretin. This is a chemical in the brain that helps control levels of
wakefulness. What causes these low hypocretin levels isn't well understood.
Researchers think that certain factors may work
together to cause a lack of hypocretin. These factors may include:
- Heredity. Some people may inherit a gene that
affects hypocretin. Up to 10 percent of people who have narcolepsy
report having a relative with the same symptoms.
- Infections.
- Brain injuries due to conditions such as brain
tumors or strokes.
- Contact with toxins, such as pesticides.
- Autoimmune disorders. These are conditions in
which the body's immune system attacks the body's healthy cells. An example of
an autoimmune disorder is rheumatoid arthritis.
Heredity alone doesn't cause narcolepsy. You also
must have at least one other factor, such as one of those listed above, to
develop narcolepsy. |