{
  "abstract": "Narcolepsy can lead to introversion, irritability and flattened affect, features overlapping with autism/ autistic experience. It has been hypothesized that decreased hypocretin promotes a ‘passive’ or ‘avoidant’ response pattern. Evidence also suggests a link between sleep deprivation and reduced cognitive functioning. Both factors can impact on social functioning.We aimed to explore the prevalence of ‘autistic traits’ in childhood Narcolepsy and consider possible explanations for the findings with reference to the evidence- base relating to impacts of sleep deprivation and other social-emotional contextual factors.Children with narcolepsy were screened using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), the gold standard for screening for autism in children aged 2-18 years. Raw scores were converted into T scores with scores above 75 being considered severe, highly suggestive of an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis and those between 60-75 indicating mild to moderate impairment in social functioning.27 children (age range 8-19 years, 9 female;18 male) were recruited. 5 already had a diagnosis of autism.Figure 1 shows results for total SRS scores and scores for the 5 subscales of the SRS are presented in table 1.14/27 (51.8%) of the sample population scored above the level of clinical significance on the SRS, indicating a mild, moderate or severe impairment in their social functioning. 8/27 (29.6%), including 4 participants with a prior diagnosis of Autism, scored in the severe category, indicating a possible autism spectrum condition.The population prevalence rate of autism is commonly quoted as 1% [24], whilst in our narcolepsy cohort 29.6% scored in the ‘severe’ range indicating possible autism spectrum condition.Further research using the gold standard autism diagnostic observational schedule (ADOS-2) in conjunction with comprehensive developmental histories will facilitate deeper insights into possible explanations for these differences in individuals with narcolepsy and how to support individuals living with the condition.Abstract P41 Figure 1Abstract P41 Table 1",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Katie Watson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Daisy Fitzpatrick"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Rachel Rice"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca Jones"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Lowri Thomas"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Heather Elphick"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P41 Autism spectrum disorder and childhood narcolepsy: cause or consequence?",
  "uid": "1ae79cf1-ad9e-59fe-9f21-37822ec7d22f"
}