Immunological and Genetic Aspects of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy has long been known to be associated with specific Human Leukocyte Antigen variants, and therefore expected to be an autoimmune disorder. For many years, it proved difficult to detect evidence of such a process, but recent studies are making progress on genetic susceptibility factors, as well as potential environmental triggers. New results are also emerging on the presence of specific autoantibodies in the disorder, as well as phenotypic and potential pathophysiologic overlap with other autoimmune disorders. These results are the focus of this review