About Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine-Levin Syndrome)

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Learn about the disease, illness and/or condition Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine-Levin Syndrome) including: symptoms, causes, treatments, contraindications and conditions at ClusterMed.info.

Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine-Levin Syndrome)

Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine-Levin Syndrome)
Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine-Levin Syndrome)

Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine-Levin Syndrome) Information

Clinical trials on Kleine-Levin syndrome

NIH Patient Recruitment for Kleine-Levin Syndrome Clinical Trials

  • At NIH Clinical Center
  • Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide

For more information

National Sleep Foundation1522 K Street NWSuite 500Washington, DC 20005[email protected]http://www.sleepfoundation.orgTel: 202-347-3471Fax: 202-347-3472 National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)P.O. Box 1968(55 Kenosia Avenue)Danbury, CT 06813-1968[email protected]http://www.rarediseases.orgTel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)Fax: 203-798-2291

Is there any treatment for Kleine-Levin syndrome?

There is no definitive treatment for Kleine-Levin syndrome and watchful waiting at home, rather than pharmacotherapy, is most often advised. Stimulant pills, including amphetamines, methylphenidate, and modafinil, are used to treat sleepiness but may increase irritability and will not improve cognitive abnormalities. Because of similarities between Kleine-Levin syndrome and certain mood disorders, lithium and carbamazepine may be prescribed and, in some cases, have been shown to prevent further episodes. This disorder should be differentiated from cyclic re-occurrence of sleepiness during the premenstrual period in teen-aged girls, which may be controlled with birth control pills. It also should be differentiated from encephalopathy, recurrent depression, or psychosis.

What are the symptoms of Kleine-Levin syndrome?

It is characterized by recurring but reversible periods of excessive sleep (up to 20 hours per day). Symptoms occur as "episodes," typically lasting a few days to a few weeks. Episode onset is often abrupt, and may be associated with flu-like symptoms. Excessive food intake, irritability, childishness, disorientation, hallucinations, and an abnormally uninhibited sex drive may be observed during episodes. Mood can be depressed as a consequence, but not a cause, of the disorder. Affected individuals are completely normal between episodes, although they may not be able to remember afterwards everything that happened during the episode. It may be weeks or more before symptoms reappear. Symptoms may be related to malfunction of the hypothalamus and thalamus, parts of the brain that govern appetite and sleep.

What is Kleine-Levin syndrome?

Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare disorder that primarily affects adolescent males (approximately 70 percent of those with Kleine-Levin syndrome are male).

What is the prognosis for Kleine-Levin syndrome?

Episodes eventually decrease in frequency and intensity over the course of eight to 12 years.

What research is being done on Kleine-Levin syndrome?

NINDS supports a broad range of clinical and basic research on diseases causing sleep disorders in an effort to clarify the mechanisms of these conditions and to develop better treatments for them.

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