In this podcast with Jeffrey M. Dayno, M.D., Neurologist and Chief Medical Officer for Harmony Biosciences, we hear a first hand update on drug pitolisant, an “investigational drug to help improve excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in people with narcolepsy.”  Dayno tells the listeners that “Pitolisant works differently than other therapies because it increases histamine in the brain.”  He refers to narcolepsy as a “disorder of sleep/wake state instability.  The sleep/wake switch is deep  in the core of the brain…and narcolepsy is similar to a flickering light bulb because states of sleep and wakefulness are so unpredictable.”  According to Dayno, Harmony Biosciences is “very committed” to a better understanding of the sleep/wake state and the role of histamine to stabilize sleep and wakefulness.  Dayno tells the listeners that there are other symptoms to narcolepsy besides excessive daytime sleepiness.  Cataplexy, or a decrease in muscle tone, can be as subtle as dropping objects or droopy eyelids.  Hallucinations and vivid dreams are also signs of narcolepsy.  You can find more information at www.knownarcolepsy.com.  Dayno mentioned that the FDA allowed Harmony to open an expanded access program for appropriate patients.  For more information, please visit www.thepeacenarcolepsyprogram.com and speak with your doctor.