Which of the following conditions is characterized by brief episodes of muscle weakness?

Cataplexy is characterized by brief episodes of muscle weakness or loss of voluntary muscle control, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise. These episodes can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes and result in sudden weakness or paralysis, even while the individual remains fully conscious and aware. This condition is closely associated with narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder that includes excessive daytime sleepiness, disrupted nighttime sleep, and episodes of cataplexy.

While apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, and insomnia involves difficulty falling or staying asleep, neither of these conditions relates to episodes of muscle weakness. Narcolepsy may include cataplexy as a symptom, but it encompasses a broader range of symptoms beyond just muscle weakness. Therefore, cataplexy specifically describes the condition of brief episodes of muscle weakness.