CIRCADIAN DISTRIBUTION OF MOTOR-ACTIVITY AND IMMOBILITY IN NARCOLEPSY- ASSESSMENT WITH CONTINUOUS MOTOR-ACTIVITY MONITORING

The circadian distribution of motor activity and immobility of 14 unme dicated narcoleptics and matched controls was evaluated by monitoring continuous wrist motor activity 5 successive days and nights at home. Sleep was also assessed by sleep logs. The amplitude of the circadian rhythm of motor activity and immobility was significantly lower in nar coleptics than in controls. The variables that best distinguish narcol eptics from controls were the diurnal and nocturnal mean duration of u ninterrupted immobility, which can be explained by excessive daytime s leepiness and frequent nocturnal awakenings, respectively. Thus, measu res of diurnal and nocturnal motor activity and immobility appear usef ul for the objective assessment of some of the sleep-wakefulness manif estations of narcolepsy.