Evaluation of CSF ferritin, transferrin and iron in patients with orexin deficient narcolepsy

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860986
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: KIKUCHI Yuka 秋田大学, 医学部, 助教 (20534093)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ナルコレプシー / むずむず脚症候群 / 周期性四肢運動障害 / 鉄代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) are often associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS). PLMS is also reported in narcoleptic patients. Since altered dopaminergic neurotransmissions are suggested in both diseases and iron is a co-factor for dopamine synthesis, we evaluated CSF ferritin, transferrin and iron in patients with orexin deficient narcolepsy. Patients with orexin deficient narcolepsy had higher CSF transferrin and iron levels compared to control subjects. There was no difference in CSF ferritin levels between the two groups. As seen in RLS subjects, an increase in transferrin was observed in narcoleptic subjects. However, normal ferritin and increased iron levels in these subjects may possibly suggest a dysregulation of iron metabolites in narcolepsy. It is not known if these findings are direct or indirect to orexin deficiency, and whether or not this contributes to the high incidence of PLMS in narcolepsy.

Free Research Field

精神医学、睡眠障害