Environmental toxins and risk of narcolepsy among people with HLA DQB1*0602

One etiologic model for narcolepsy suggests that some environmental toxin selectively and irreversibly destroys hypocretin-producing cells in individuals with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*0602. Between 2001 and 2005, the authors conducted a population-based case–control study in King County, Washington to examine narcolepsy risk in relation to toxins found in jobs, hobbies, and other non-vocational activities. Sixty-seven cases and 95 controls were enrolled; all were between ages 18 and 50 and positive for HLA DQB1*0602. All were administered in-person interviews about jobs, hobbies or other non-vocational activities before age 21. All analyses were adjusted for African-American race and income. Risk increased significantly for jobs involving heavy metals (odds ratio [OR]=4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5, 14.5) and for highest levels of exposure to woodwork (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.0, 8.9), fertilizer (OR=3.1; 95% CI: 1.1, 9.1), and bug or weed killer (OR=4.5; 95% CI: 1.5, 13.4). Associations were of borderline significance for activities involving ceramics, pesticides, and painting projects. Significant dose–response relationships were evident for jobs involving metals (p<0.03), paints (p<0.03), and bug or weed killer (p<0.02). Additional studies are needed to replicate these findings and continue the search for specific toxins that could damage hypocretin neurons in genetically susceptible people.