II. Epidemiology

  1. Possibly Hereditary

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Episodic loss of motor and Posture control
  2. Precipitated by laughter or strong emotion
  3. Unknown cause

IV. Signs

  1. Sudden decrease or loss of voluntary Muscle tone following emotional trigger (e.g. laughing, surprise)
    1. Speech is affected
    2. Episode is transient
    3. No loss of consciousness
  2. Episodes are transient, lasting seconds to minutes
    1. Localized hypotonia (e.g. jaw drop, head nod, knee sag)
    2. Generalized hypotonia (full collapse onto floor)

V. Associated Conditions

  1. Narcolepsy (25-30% of Narcolepsy patients have Cataplexy)

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Related Studies

Ontology: Cataplexy (C0007384)

Definition (MSHCZE) Náhlá ztráta svalového napětí vedoucí k pádu. Nedochází přitom ke ztrátě vědomí. Bývá součástí poruchy spánku (narkolepsie). Může být vyvolána náhlým citovým hnutím. (cit. Velký lékařský slovník online, 2013 http://lekarske.slovniky.cz/ )
Definition (NCI) A rare disorder characterized by sudden and transient episodes of loss of muscle tone. It often follows an experience of intense emotions. It is seen in patients with narcolepsy.
Definition (CSP) transient attack of weakness precipitated by emotional excitement; patient falls as if struck down.
Definition (MSH) A condition characterized by transient weakness or paralysis of somatic musculature triggered by an emotional stimulus or physical exertion. Cataplexy is frequently associated with NARCOLEPSY. During a cataplectic attack, there is a marked reduction in muscle tone similar to the normal physiologic hypotonia that accompanies rapid eye movement sleep (SLEEP, REM). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p396)
Definition (PSY) Temporary loss of muscle tone or weakness following extreme emotion.
Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
MSH D002385
SnomedCT 46263000
English Cataplexy, CATAPLEXY, Henneberg Syndrome, Syndrome, Henneberg, Syndrome, Tonelessness, Syndromes, Tonelessness, Tonelessness Syndrome, Tonelessness Syndromes, Cataplexy [Disease/Finding], Attacks, Cataleptic, Cataleptic Attacks, Cataleptic Attack, Attack, Cataleptic, cataplexy, Cataplexy (diagnosis), disorder of brain cataplexy, Cataplexy (disorder)
French CATAPLEXIE, Syndrome de Henneberg, Attaques cataleptiques, Attaques de cataplexie, Cataplexie
Portuguese CATAPLEXIA, Estado Cataplético, Cataplexia, Síndrome da Ausência de Tonicidade Muscular, Síndrome de Henneberg
Spanish CATAPLEXIA, Cataplejía, Status Cataplexicus, Estado Catapléxico, Cataplexia, cataplexia (trastorno), cataplexia, Síndrome de Falta de Tono Muscular, Síndrome de Henneberg
German KATAPLEXIE, Kataplexie, Henneberg-Syndrom, Tonusverlust-Syndrom
Swedish Kataplexi
Japanese カタプレキシー, カタプレクシー, カタプレキシー, 脱力発作
Czech kataplexie, Kataplexie
Finnish Katapleksia
Italian Sindrome di Henneberg, Sindrome da perdita di tono muscolare, Cataplessia
Russian KATAPLEKSIIA, КАТАПЛЕКСИЯ
Polish Katapleksja
Hungarian Cataplexia
Norwegian Henneberg-syndrom, Kraftløshetssyndrom, Plutselig kraftløshet, Kataleptsiske anfall, Katapleksi
Dutch kataplexie, Henneberg-syndroom, Kataplexie, Spiertonusverlies