Abstract:
The history of narcolepsy research began with the pioneering work of Jean-Baptiste-Édouard Gélineau in the late 19th century. In the 1880s, Gélineau introduced the term \"narcolepsy\" to describe a condition characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of sleep. His clinical descriptions laid the foundation for our understanding of this complex disorder. Over the last half-century, the pharmacological landscape for narcolepsy treatment has evolved remarkably, shifting from merely managing symptoms to increasingly targeting its underlying pathophysiology. By the 1930s, treatments such as ephedrine and amphetamine were introduced to alleviate excessive daytime sleepiness, marking significant advancements in narcolepsy management. These stimulants provided temporary relief, helping patients maintain wakefulness during the day. As research progressed, the focus shifted towards understanding the disorder\'s underlying mechanisms. The discovery of orexin (also known as hypocretin) in the late 1990s revolutionized the field. This breakthrough underscored the importance of orexin in regulating sleep-wake cycles and provided new targets for pharmacological intervention. Looking ahead, the future of narcolepsy pharmacotherapy is poised for further innovation. The ongoing exploration of orexin receptor agonists and the potential development of neuroprotective therapeutic targets underscore a promising horizon. Emerging research into the genetic and immunological underpinnings of narcolepsy opens new avenues for personalized medicine approaches and the identification of biomarkers for more precise treatment strategies. Additionally, the refinement of existing treatments through improved delivery systems and the investigation of combination therapies offer opportunities for enhanced efficacy and improved quality of life for patients with narcolepsy.
摘要:
发作性睡病研究的历史始于19世纪末Jean-Baptiste-ÉdouardGélineau的开创性工作。在1880年代,Gélineau引入了“发作性睡病”一词来描述一种以突然和无法控制的睡眠发作为特征的疾病。他的临床描述为我们理解这种复杂的疾病奠定了基础。在过去的半个世纪里,发作性睡病治疗的药理学景观已经显著发展,从仅仅管理症状转变为越来越多地针对其潜在的病理生理学。到1930年代,采用了麻黄碱和苯丙胺等治疗方法来缓解白天过度嗜睡,标志着发作性睡病管理的重大进步。这些兴奋剂提供了临时救济,帮助患者在白天保持清醒。随着研究的进展,焦点转移到理解疾病的潜在机制上。1990年代后期发现的食欲素(也称为hypocretin)彻底改变了该领域。这一突破强调了食欲素在调节睡眠-觉醒周期中的重要性,并为药物干预提供了新的靶点。展望未来,发作性睡病药物治疗的未来有望进一步创新。正在进行的食欲素受体激动剂的探索和神经保护性治疗靶标的潜在开发强调了一个有希望的前景。对发作性睡病的遗传和免疫学基础的新兴研究为个性化医疗方法和识别更精确的治疗策略的生物标志物开辟了新的途径。此外,通过改进给药系统对现有治疗方法的改进以及对联合疗法的研究为发作性睡病患者提供了提高疗效和改善生活质量的机会.