1. Infection with a strep bacteria causes an immune response in the gastrointestinal tract.
The documented streptococcal autoimmune disorders are triggered by Strep pyogenes. Although that microbe is common in narcoleptics- I get the feeling Strep pneumonia also contributes somehow. Too many of us report chronic respiratory infections.
2. The infection interacts directly or indirectly with gluten immunity.
Either it mimics gluten and triggers antigliadin production, alters the microbe balance of the intestines, or the inflammation exacerbates existing gluten antibody activity in genetically susceptible people.
3. This combination of strep and antigliadin somehow disables the orexin producing cells resulting in orexin depletion.
Low orexin levels-
Both of those things drastically alter metabolism and lead to obesity.
High insulin levels also amplify the effect of GABA.
- Increased GABA response suppresses the central nervous system.
- This may be the actual cause of the sleep attacks but I can't really say yet.
- it definitely contributes to central apnea, daytime sleepiness, negative affect.
In addition- Infection and obesity contribute to obstructive apnea.
That's how the dataset makes the most sense to me.
