FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2022

Dr. Emmanuel Mignot has been named the inaugural recipient of Narcolepsy Network’s Mignot Award for Excellence in Research, which will be presented to Mignot at Narcolepsy Network’s 36th Annual Conference, on October 29, in Atlanta, Georgia.

“We created this award not only to honor Doctor Mignot’s impressive contributions and dedication to narcolepsy research, but also to recognize others in the future,” said Narcolepsy Network Transition Director Amy Kant. “This is such a pivotal moment for sleep research. We now understand more about narcolepsy than ever before, and clinicians and researchers like Doctor Mignot have made that possible, leading to profound advancements in this field.”

Among the many accomplishments and innovative research practices credited to Mignot is his discovery that narcolepsy in humans is due to the loss of hypocretin-expressing neurons in the brain. This discovery is considered one of the most important in sleep research in the last 50 years. His recent work has focused on the autoimmune mechanisms that may contribute to the deficiency of hypocretin in people with narcolepsy.

“Doctor Mignot is an outstanding role model as a sleep scientist and clinician who for decades has concentrated his efforts on helping people with narcolepsy. His sharp focus, infectious curiosity, and unwavering persistence have led to monumental research breakthroughs that have transformed our understanding of narcolepsy,” said sleep medicine specialist and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine professor Dr. Lois Krahn. “Doctor Mignot is also a compassionate and deeply committed physician who sincerely cares about patients. The narcolepsy community is extremely fortunate to have benefitted from his work.”

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles naturally and takes an average of seven years to diagnose after the onset of symptoms due to fatigue being a common symptom of many other medical conditions. Earlier this month, Mignot was awarded the 2023 Breakthrough Prize in life sciences for discovering the cause of narcolepsy.

“When I was first diagnosed with narcolepsy in 2005, fewer treatments existed,” said Narcolepsy Network board president Keith Harper. “Available medications primarily included stimulants to help keep you awake during the day. In the last 10-15 years, so many more options have become available, and we’ve also seen a greater understanding in the medical community of the profound impacts of narcolepsy on a person’s life. Doctor Mignot has paved the way for the development of new treatments.”

Mignot will serve as the Keynote Speaker at Narcolepsy Network’s Annual Conference, in October, where he will talk about his research over the last 30 years and his vision for the future.

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Narcolepsy Network is a 501(c)(3), member-led community organization based in the U.S. that works to educate, empower, and connect people impacted by narcolepsy. Through the lens of advocacy, education, awareness, and support, Narcolepsy Network delivers programs and resources by sharing clinical updates and research developments, hosting webinars, facilitating support groups, and providing advocacy opportunities. Narcolepsy Network also hosts an Annual Conference offering up-to-date information on clinical research, therapies, and lifestyle hacks, as well as networking and support.

Primary Contact:

Narcolepsy Network
Megan McLean, Marketing Communications Manager [email protected]
(406) 672-5926

Secondary Contact:

Narcolepsy Network
Amy Kant, Transition Director [email protected]