Bacterial Translocation and Gut Microbiota in Type 1 Narcolepsy Patients Compared to Controls An Observational Study to Explore Microbial and Immune Factors in Narcolepsy

What this Trial Is About

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a rare condition marked by excessive sleepiness, sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy), vivid hallucinations at sleep onset, sleep paralysis, poor nighttime sleep, and often obesity. It results from irreversible loss of orexin-producing neurons in the brain, with decreased orexin levels in cerebrospinal fluid. The cause is unclear but may involve autoimmune processes. Previous research showed differences in gut bacteria between NT1 patients and controls, linking altered gut microbiota to NT1 and suggesting a role of environmental factors in disease development. This research evaluates the presence of bacterial translocation from the gut into the body in NT1 patients compared to controls. Participants provide blood samples to test plasma permeability markers, stool samples to analyze gut microbial diversity, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples to measure orexin levels and detect bacterial DNA. These samples help study the relationship between gut bacteria imbalance, intestinal permeability, inflammation, and immune activation in NT1. Participants undergo assessments at study entry to measure bacterial translocation profiles in plasma. Researchers monitor gut microbiota diversity and inflammation markers, as well as orexin levels in CSF. The study tracks how bacterial translocation and related immune responses may change with disease progression and treatment. Participants' informed consent is required, and safety and health insurance status are ensured. This study aims to deepen understanding of NT1's underlying causes by exploring gut-brain interactions over time.

Bacterial Translocation and Gut Microbiota in Type 1 Narcolepsy Patients Versus a Control Population