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Kleine-Levin Syndrome: a female case report and review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

John A. Cooney
John A. Cooney*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Cork Regional Hospital
*
Box 1000, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, TOC 2HO (Currently: Chief, Substance Abuse Service, Alberta Hospital Ponoka, Canada.)
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Abstract

The Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) a rare disorder comprising of periodic bouts of hypersomnia and megaphagia is reviewed. The syndrome chiefly affects males. The four accepted female cases in the literature are reviewed and a new female case described. This patient had an IQ in the normal range, unlike the other three female cases where the IQ was measured. She showed an abnormal Cortisol rhythm during both a well and an unwell phase replicating the findings of other workers in some KLS patients. This patient showed normal dexamethasone suppression, a test not previously reported on in KLS. The patient also smoked excessively during the bouts, an occurrence not previously remarked on in this disorder.

Keywords

Kleine-Levin SyndromeKleine-Levin Syndrome Femalesperiodic hypersomnia and megaphagiaabnormal Cortisol rhythm
Type
Clinical and Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , September 1989 , pp. 135 - 141
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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