The illness is defined by failure in the brain's sleep-controlling circuits, which causes symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep episodes, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. While the specific etiology of narcolepsy is unknown, it is thought to be related to anomalies in neurotransmitters and the hypothalamus, a major brain area involved in sleep regulation. These interruptions cause the appearance of narcoleptic symptoms, which have an influence on daily functioning and overall quality of life for those affected by the illness.
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