Comparison in symptoms between aged and younger patients with narcolepsy.

We investigated the age-related changes in symptoms in narcolepsy. Fifty patients, 65-year-old and over (aged group), were recruited from the National Narcolepsy Registry. Thirty-four patients, younger than 65 (younger group), were selected by random sampling. Although there was no difference in the age of disease onset between the two groups, the age of diagnosis was significantly earlier for the younger group. Methylphenidate was used significantly more in the aged group, and modafinil in the younger group. The aged group had lower total scores on the Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale, because the scores for cataplexy were significantly less for the aged group. There was no significant difference in excessive daytime sleepiness between the two groups.