Severe hypersomnolence associated with periodic limb movements and central sleep apnea in a cocaine addicted HIV patient.

Drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines potentiate the effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine on the brain and act as stimulants. Here, we report a case of paradoxical severe hypersomnolence from cocaine use in an HIV cocaine-addicted patient. We describe a possible pathomechanism for cocaine depletion at the synapse, causing decreased synaptic activation and leading to sleepiness.