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Article: Brain imaging and cataplexy.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
- Article from:
- FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine
- Article date:
- March 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Focus Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Cataplexy, the temporary sudden loss of skeletal muscle tone, affects an estimated 70 percent of people who have the sleep disorder narcolepsy. At its worst, a cataplexy attack may cause a person to suddenly fall to the floor. The person appears unconscious but, in actuality, remains aware of all that is going on around him or her while frightened onlookers may call emergency medical personnel. Within minutes, the person's muscle tone returns and he or she is able to resume activity.
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Less dramatic forms of cataplexy may involve only certain muscles becoming momentarily weak in response to a strong emotion. For example, some ...