Observations placeholder
Genetic association, seasonal infections and autoimmune basis of narcolepsy
Identifier
019059
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The 'autoimmune' attribution is not correct in the title it is confusing as the researchers specifically say it isn't an autoimmune disease, however, the paper is useful, nevertheless.
AS03 (for "Adjuvant System 03") is the trade name for an adjuvant used in various vaccine products. A dose of AS03 adjuvant contains
- 10.69 mg squalene
- 11.86 mg DL-α-tocopherol
- 4.86 mg polysorbate 80
A description of the experience
J Autoimmun. 2013 Jun;43:26-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.02.003. Epub 2013 Mar 13.
Genetic association, seasonal infections and autoimmune basis of narcolepsy.
Singh AK1, Mahlios J, Mignot E.
- 1Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, Stanford University of Medicine, 1050 A, Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94034, USA.
Abstract
In recent years, a growing number of potential ...disorders affecting neurons in the central nervous system have been identified, including narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a lifelong sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness with irresistible sleep attacks, cataplexy (sudden bilateral loss of muscle tone), hypnagogic hallucinations, and abnormalities of Rapid Eye Movement sleep. Narcolepsy is generally a sporadic disorder and is caused by the loss of hypocretin (orexin)-producing neurons in the hypothalamus region of the brain.
......... More recently, narcolepsy was identified in association with:
- seasonal streptococcus,
- H1N1 infections and following
- AS03-adjuvanted pH1N1 influenza vaccination in Northern Europe.
Potential immunological pathways responsible for the loss of hypocretin producing neurons in these cases may be molecular mimicry or bystander activation. Specific autoantibodies or T cells cross-reactive with hypocretin neurons have not yet been identified, however, thus narcolepsy does not meet Witebsky's criteria for an autoimmune disease. As the brain is not an easily accessible organ, mechanisms of disease initiation and progression remain a challenge to researchers.
PMID: 23497937