Narcolepsy following COVID-19: A case report and review of potential mechanisms

Clin Case Rep. 2023 May 25;11(6):e7370. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.7370. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Key clinical message: The immune activation in COVID-19 may trigger narcolepsy in vulnerable patients. We suggest clinicians carefully evaluate patients with post-COVID fatigue and hypersomnia for primary sleep disorders, specifically narcolepsy.

Abstract: The patient is a 33-year-old Iranian woman without a significant past medical history with the full range of narcolepsy symptoms that started within 2 weeks after her recovery from COVID-19. Sleep studies revealed increased sleep latency and three sleep-onset rapid eye movement events, compatible with a narcolepsy-cataplexy diagnosis.

Keywords: COVID‐19; autoimmune; hypersomnia; narcolepsy; sleep disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports