Tricks to rapidly terminate episodes of cataplexy in narcolepsy

Abstract

Cataplexy is a distinctive symptom of narcolepsy type 1 and is characterized by episodes of sudden loss of muscle tone with preserved consciousness that are usually triggered by emotions [1]. Cataplectic attacks usually last from seconds to a fewminutes until, unpredictably, the muscle function is completely restored, which is normally within seconds [2]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of two patients with narcolepsy type 1 in whom their relatives used a maneuver or trick to rapidly terminate the episodes of cataplexy.