Decision making and addictive behaviors in narcolepsy with cataplexy

Abstract

Narcolepsy with cataplexy (NC) is caused by the loss of hypothalamic neurons that produce hypocretins (also known as orexins). The hypocretin system plays a crucial role in sleep, wakefulness, and energy homeostasis. Behavioral, anatomical and neurophysiological studies in animals have shown that hypocretins are involved in reward and addictive behaviors. Recently neuroimaging and behavioral studies indicated that reward-processing and decision-making networks are also altered in hypocretin-deficient narcoleptic patients. These evidences offer new research directions to our understanding of the role of hypocretins in reward and addiction.