Health Library

Risk Factors for Narcolepsy

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

Very little is known about the risk factors for narcolepsy. Narcolepsy seems to run in some families; about 8%-30% of people with narcolepsy have another family member with the condition.

References:

Chen L, Fong SY, Lam CW, et al. The familial risk and HLA susceptibility among narcolepsy patients in Hong Kong, Chinese. Sleep. 2007;30:851-858.

Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 1999.

Narcolepsy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Disease...ar/nar_what.html. Updated November 2008. Accessed April 7, 2009.

Last reviewed October 2012 by Rimas Lukas, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Health Library

Risk Factors for Narcolepsy

In This Section: