Finding the Narcolepsy Target

A new study provides evidence to support the idea that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder.A decade ago it was discovered that people with narcolepsy lack brain cells that make “hypocretin.” This is a hormone that helps promote wakefulness. The finding helped explain why people with narcolepsy have episodes of uncontrollable sleepiness.But why do these brain cells die in people with narcolepsy?