Kleine-Levin syndrome
Last reviewed 01/2018
Kleine-Levin syndrome is characterised by episodes of somnolence and increased appetite, often lasting for days or weeks and with long intervals between them.
In this syndrome patients can always be roused from the day-time sleep. However they are often irritable on waking and occasionally aggressive. Some patients are muddled and experience depression, disorientation and hallucinations.
The combination of sleep disturbance and appetite disorder have pointed to a possible hypothalamic disorder. However there is no convincing evidence for this aetiology.