Electrophysiological findings and diagnostic procedures for CDH - Poul Jennum

Central disorders of hypersomnolence, including narcolepsy, are characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal regulation of the sleep–wake cycle. Electrophysiological evaluation plays a central role in diagnosis. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) is performed to assess sleep architecture and exclude other sleep disorders, followed by the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), which measures the tendency to fall asleep during the day. Short sleep latency and the presence of sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods (SOREMPs) are key diagnostic markers for narcolepsy. Additional findings may include fragmented nocturnal sleep and REM sleep dysregulation. Complementary diagnostic procedures may involve cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin measurement, actigraphy, and clinical assessment to differentiate among hypersomnolence disorders.