Michael J. Thorpy, MD, Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, discusses positive results in study of Lumryz (sodium oxybate) for hallucinations in patients with narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by an inability of the brain to control sleep-wake cycles. Patients with narcolepsy typically enter REM sleep more quickly, causing the boundaries between wakefulness and sleep to blur. This causes fragmented sleep at night as well as muscle weakness and dream activity while awake. Common symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
Dr. Thorpy explains the prevalence of hypnagogic hallucinations in patients with narcolepsy as a result of entering REM sleep so quickly. Patients may experience REM dream phenomena while still awake or asleep. These dream hallucinations are often unpleasant and frightening and may include vivid dreams, lucid dreams, and out-of-body experiences.
Lumryz is an extended-release central nervous system depressant and new formula of sodium oxybate indicated for the treatment of cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients ages 7 years and older with narcolepsy. The treatment may also help correct REM mechanisms that affect REM sleep phenomena.
Data was recently presented at the SLEEP 2025 meeting on the effects of Lumryz on hallucinations in patients with narcolepsy. The study was a 13-week, double-blind, placebo controlled trial and results were presented from a post-hoc analysis. Over 12,000 hallucination episodes were recorded throughout the study. Lumryz illustrated about a 50% reduction in hallucinations compared to placebo. The most improved hallucinations were those considered frightening and that occurred at sleep onset.
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