Gelineau syndrome is a condition characterized by a sudden, irresistible urge to sleep. It is named after the French neurologist JBE Gelineau (1859-1906) and is also referred to by other names. This disorder is often linked with symptoms such as a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions, known as cataplexy, as well as sleep paralysis, which is the inability to move the body during the transition between sleep and wakefulness. Additionally, individuals may experience hypnagogic hallucinations, which are vivid dreams occurring as they fall asleep, and engage in automatic behaviors where they perform tasks without any recollection of doing so afterward.In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 200,000 people are affected by narcolepsy, a condition that impacts individuals of all genders and races. Symptoms typically emerge during a person’s teenage years or early twenties. The severity of the disorder can vary greatly; some individuals may experience only mild sleepiness or infrequent episodes of cataplexy, while others might face moderate drowsiness or occasional cataplexy, with less than one episode daily. In more severe cases, individuals may suffer from extreme sleepiness and frequent cataplexy, with multiple episodes occurring each day.The exact causes of narcolepsy remain unknown, and while it is not directly life-threatening, it can lead to dangerous situations, such as falling asleep while driving. Treatment usually involves medication to enhance alertness and antidepressants to manage cataplexy. In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a medication called Provigil (modafinil), a non-stimulant drug, to address the excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. This disorder is also known by several other names, including excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), hypnolepsy, sleeping disease, and paroxysmal sleep.
