| Target Professions: | Sleep Physicians |
| Target Specialties: | Neurology, Psychiatry, Pulmonary/Respiratory, Psychology, Sleep Medicine |
| Credits Available: | 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™/ MOC Points |
This curriculum was designed in consideration of the critical need to address several long-standing challenges sleep medicine specialists face when treating patients with narcolepsy. A major hurdle has been rapid and accurate diagnosis, given that symptoms often overlap with psychiatric and other neurological conditions. Treatment is also changing; while the treatment landscape has long been dominated by symptomatic management, recent updates to clinical guidelines and the development of mechanism-based therapies, such as OX2R agonists, signal a potential shift in future treatments. After decades of limited therapeutic innovation, narcolepsy is entering a new era of targeted approaches that address underlying pathophysiology. Sleep specialists will likely face new challenges incorporating these investigational therapies into practice once they are available.
Offering clinicians a structured opportunity to review emerging data, share practical insights, and discuss implementation strategies represents a timely and impactful opportunity to advance narcolepsy care. However, addressing these complex issues realistically requires a great deal more than participating in a single live or digital educational activity. This program opts for extended interactions, mentoring, and peer-to-peer discussions among small groups of highly qualified and motivated practitioners.
Please answer the following questions to assess your understanding of diagnosing and treating patients with narcolepsy.
Explore the diagnosis of narcolepsy types 1 and 2 using ICSD-3 criteria, PSG, and MSLT. Learn about diagnostic limitations and barriers like atypical symptoms, missed cataplexy, and overlap with other conditions.
This module covers orexin's role in sleep-wake regulation, its deficiency in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), and how OX2R activation differs in healthy vs. orexin-deficient brains. It highlights the disease-modifying potential of OX2R agonists as targeted therapy for patients with NT1.
This module covers current pharmacological treatments for patients with narcolepsy and examines the rationale and clinical use of emerging agents that target the orexin receptors in the brain.
Please answer the following questions to assess your understanding of diagnosing and treating patients with narcolepsy.
This Live Group Discussion will focus on a case of a 27-year-old female with progressively worsening daytime sleepiness. We will also address any questions you may have regarding the baseline and final assessments and the self-study modules.
Maya is a woman referred for evaluation of fatigue. Using her history, exam findings, and laboratory results, determine the diagnosis and outline an appropriate management plan.
Chris is a man with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) who is dissatisfied with his current treatment. Using the case details provided, propose a more effective management plan.
Considering the information reviewed and discussed during this program, please share the action plan you will implement to improve outcomes for patients with narcolepsy.
This Live Group Discussion will review a case of a 35-year-old man who is frequently falling asleep during the day, and also having issues with memory. We will also review your submissions on the Patient Case Challenge and Action Plans.
