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AAN 2026 | Elevated influenza antibodies in recent-onset type-one narcolepsy
Han Yan, MD, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, discusses the potential link between narcolepsy and influenza virus, highlighting that immune reactions against the virus may be associated with the neurological condition. This interview took place at the 78th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
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Transcript
Some epidemiological studies have suggested that narcolepsy is associated with influenza virus. Basically, the immune reaction against influenza virus is associated with this neurological condition. We want to provide the association some serological data and to bring the association to a substantial level, make the association stronger. To do that, we tested the antibody against hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which are the two dominant antigens expressed by influenza virus in the narcolepsy patients and comparable controls...
Some epidemiological studies have suggested that narcolepsy is associated with influenza virus. Basically, the immune reaction against influenza virus is associated with this neurological condition. We want to provide the association some serological data and to bring the association to a substantial level, make the association stronger. To do that, we tested the antibody against hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which are the two dominant antigens expressed by influenza virus in the narcolepsy patients and comparable controls. We found that the antibody level in the narcolepsy patients, when we test the patients within a relatively short period of time after they started to show the symptoms of narcolepsy, and they have increased antibody against hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of the two strains. The first one is H1N1 2009 pandemic strain, and the second is Influenza B Victoria lineage. So as to how much these results can tell us, I would like to say it’s still very limited because we just started to test the antibody. But I think at least this could provide a direction and tell us where to find the answer to the ultimate question. How the different components of the immune system orchestra and how the orexin neurons are targeted precisely and eventually, we could find the answer of how narcolepsy, these neurological conditions, happen.
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