DNA Narcolepsy Risk Test

DNA Narcolepsy Risk Test

Tired of fighting to stay awake during the day?
If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness or find yourself unintentionally dozing off, it could be a sign of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that disrupts the normal sleep-wake cycle, making it difficult to maintain alertness. This simple DNA test can help uncover the cause of your excessive daytime sleepiness.

  • Detects the HLA-DQB1*06:02 variant strongly associated with narcolepsy
  • Individuals with two copies of this variant have a significantly higher risk of developing the condition
  • 100% private and confidential online results
  • Painless sample collection
Collection method: Buccal swab

$195.00

Detailed Description

What is Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by extreme daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day. This excessive daytime sleepiness should not be mistaken for the afternoon slump, since neurological defects are responsible for narcolepsy, rather than just sleep deprivation or lack of caffeine!

How Common is Narcolepsy?
Between 1 in 2000 and 1 in 5000 people are affected by narcolepsy. However, only about 25% of the cases are correctly diagnosed, and often narcoleptics are mistakenly diagnosed with psychiatric or emotional problems. Family members of an affected individual also have a 20X – 40X increased risk of developing narcolepsy.

This genetic analysis detects the HLA-DQB1*06:02 allele associated with narcolepsy. It is a useful tool, in conjunction with other clinical symptoms, for an accurate narcolepsy diagnosis.

The Genetics

Approximately 90-99% of people with narcolepsy carry a variant of the HLA-DQB1 gene known as the HLA-DQB1*06:02 allele.

Variants Tested

  •  Two copies of HLA-DQ1b*06:02 = 7X – 25X increased risk of narcolepsy (or potentially up to 250X increased risk!)
  •  One copy of HLA-DQB1*06:02 + an alternative HLA-DQB1 allele = 3X increased risk (depending on the risk or protective affect of the alternative allele)
  •  Absence of HLA-DQB1*06:02 = Low risk of narcolepsy

However, 15 – 25% of the unaffected people, also carry the HLA-DQB1*06:02 variant, suggesting genetics is not the only factor that contributes to narcolepsy. Multiple other HLA-DQB1 variants also exist, and many of these provide some protection from narcolepsy, complicating the risk analyses.

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (100% of affected individuals)
  • Cataplexy – a sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone (70% of affected individuals)
  • Sleep paralysis and/or vivid hallucinations (10 to 20% of affected individuals)
  • Microsleep (sleep episodes that only last a few seconds)
  • Nighttime wakefulness
  • Atonia (loss of muscle strength)
  • Involuntary leg muscle contractions
  • Rapid entry into REM sleep

  •  Two copies of HLA-DQ1b*06:02 = 7X – 25X increased risk of narcolepsy (or potentially up to 250X increased risk!)
  •  One copy of HLA-DQB1*06:02 + an alternative HLA-DQB1 allele = 3X increased risk (depending on the risk or protective affect of the alternative allele)
  •  Absence of HLA-DQB1*06:02 = Low risk of narcolepsy

However, 15 – 25% of the unaffected people, also carry the HLA-DQB1*06:02 variant, suggesting genetics is not the only factor that contributes to narcolepsy. Multiple other HLA-DQB1 variants also exist, and many of these provide some protection from narcolepsy, complicating the risk analyses.

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (100% of affected individuals)
  • Cataplexy – a sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone (70% of affected individuals)
  • Sleep paralysis and/or vivid hallucinations (10 to 20% of affected individuals)
  • Microsleep (sleep episodes that only last a few seconds)
  • Nighttime wakefulness
  • Atonia (loss of muscle strength)
  • Involuntary leg muscle contractions
  • Rapid entry into REM sleep
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How It Works

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Order your test

Choose the test that matches your need from our large array of tests. The kit will be delivered to your doorstep. There is no need to leave the comfort of your home.

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Collect your sample

Register and activate your test. Collect your sample. Return your sample to our lab as soon as possible, using the prepaid envelope included in the kit.

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Quality guarantee

Your sample will be tested as soon as it arrives in our lab. Your results will be available through our secure online platform.

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