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Cataplexy

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Cataplexy is loss of muscular tone caused by strong emotion.

Patients may complain that a surprise or hearing a joke results in loss of strength.

There is a spectrum of severity:

  • mild:
    • jaw drop
    • neck sagging
    • buckling knees

  • severe:
    • collapse - may last several minutes

Cataplexy is a characteristic, but not essential, feature of narcolepsy:

  • if may be the presenting symptom in 4% of narcoleptics
  • 60-90% of patients with narcolepsy have cataplexy

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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