Page 26 - The autoimmune hypothesis of narcolepsy and its unexplored clinical features M.S. Schinkelshoek

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Chapter 1
previously. This case thereby supports the theorem that multiple different environmental triggers are able to cause the presumed autoimmune reaction ultimately leading to the destruction of hypocretin-producing neurons to occur in genetically predisposed individuals.
This case combined with earlier reports suggests that the presumed autoimmune reaction resulting in the onset of NT1 can be swift and closely linked to symptom onset (Figure 1.1). Thereby, it stresses the importance of performing experiments on the autoimmune hypothesis of NT1 shortly after symptom onset. Additionally, this case highlights the importance of focusing future research on the final common pathophysiological pathway of NT1 to be able to identify individuals at-risk for developing the disease, rather than addressing the diversity of environmental triggers, of which we might only have identified the top of the iceberg.