Does memory impairment exist in narcolepsy-cataplexy?

Abstract

Approximately one-half of patients with the narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome suffer from subjective memory problems, mainly involving recent events. Ten untreated narcoleptic patients (7 male, 3 female, aged 28-65 years) with such problems and 10 matched controls were given a battery of tests to study the complaint. Tests included the digit span, Knox cube, recurring figures (verbal and nonverbal), visual reproduction, paired associates learning and logical memory test, plus naming and fluency tests to control for language capabilities. No significant intergroup differences were found. It is concluded that narcoleptics do not have a true organic memory deficit, but rather experience a subjective problem due to drowsiness which they are able to suppress during short testing sessions in a laboratory environment.