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Idiaquez J, Casar JC, Arnardottir ES, August E, Santin J, Iturriaga R. Hyperhidrosis in sleep disorders - A narrative review of mechanisms and clinical significance. J Sleep Res 2023; 32:e13660. [PMID: 35706374 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating beyond thermoregulatory needs that affects patients' quality of life. It results from an excessive stimulation of eccrine sweat glands in the skin by the sympathetic nervous system. Hyperhidrosis may be primary or secondary to an underlying cause. Nocturnal hyperhidrosis is associated with different sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement during sleep and narcolepsy. The major cause of the hyperhidrosis is sympathetic overactivity and, in the case of narcolepsy type 1, orexin deficiency may also contribute. In this narrative review, we will provide an outline of the possible mechanisms underlying sudomotor dysfunction and the resulting nocturnal hyperhidrosis in these different sleep disorders and explore its clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Idiaquez
- Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Carlos Casar
- Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Erna S Arnardottir
- Reykjavik University Sleep Institute, School of Technology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Internal Medicine Services, Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Elias August
- Reykjavik University Sleep Institute, School of Technology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Department of Engineering, School of Technology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Julia Santin
- Departamento de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Iturriaga
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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van der Veen S, Caviness JN, Dreissen YE, Ganos C, Ibrahim A, Koelman JH, Stefani A, Tijssen MA. Myoclonus and other jerky movement disorders. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2022; 7:285-316. [PMID: 36324989 PMCID: PMC9619152 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoclonus and other jerky movements form a large heterogeneous group of disorders. Clinical neurophysiology studies can have an important contribution to support diagnosis but also to gain insight in the pathophysiology of different kind of jerks. This review focuses on myoclonus, tics, startle disorders, restless legs syndrome, and periodic leg movements during sleep. Myoclonus is defined as brief, shock-like movements, and subtypes can be classified based the anatomical origin. Both the clinical phenotype and the neurophysiological tests support this classification: cortical, cortical-subcortical, subcortical/non-segmental, segmental, peripheral, and functional jerks. The most important techniques used are polymyography and the combination of electromyography-electroencephalography focused on jerk-locked back-averaging, cortico-muscular coherence, and the Bereitschaftspotential. Clinically, the differential diagnosis of myoclonus includes tics, and this diagnosis is mainly based on the history with premonitory urges and the ability to suppress the tic. Electrophysiological tests are mainly applied in a research setting and include the Bereitschaftspotential, local field potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and pre-pulse inhibition. Jerks due to a startling stimulus form the group of startle syndromes. This group includes disorders with an exaggerated startle reflex, such as hyperekplexia and stiff person syndrome, but also neuropsychiatric and stimulus-induced disorders. For these disorders polymyography combined with a startling stimulus can be useful to determine the pattern of muscle activation and thus the diagnosis. Assessment of symptoms in restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movements during sleep can be performed with different validated scoring criteria with the help of electromyography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sterre van der Veen
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands,Expertise Centre Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - John N. Caviness
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Movement Neurophysiology Laboratory, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Yasmine E.M. Dreissen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christos Ganos
- Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Neurology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abubaker Ibrahim
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes H.T.M. Koelman
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ambra Stefani
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marina A.J. Tijssen
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands,Expertise Centre Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands,Corresponding author at: Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
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3
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Jiménez-Jiménez FJ, Alonso-Navarro H, García-Martín E, Agúndez JAG. Association between restless legs syndrome and peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:2423-2442. [PMID: 33772991 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The coexistence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom disease is relatively frequent, but its prevalence has shown a high variability across studies. In addition, several reports have shown data suggesting the presence of PN in patients with idiopathic RLS. METHODS A search was undertaken using the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Databases, from 1966 to 6 December 2020, crossing the search term 'restless legs syndrome' with 'neuropathy', 'polyneuropathy' (PNP) and 'peripheral neuropathy', and the references of interest for this topic were identified; a meta-analysis was performed, according to PRISMA guidelines, and a calculation of pooled prevalences, where appropriate, was made using standard methods. RESULTS Restless legs syndrome has been reported in 5.2%-53.7% of patients with PN (average 21.5%; 95% confidence interval 18.6%-24.5%), and PN has been reported in 0%-87.5% of patients with RLS (average 41.8%; 95% confidence interval 39.9%-43.6%), both being significantly more frequent than in controls. The heterogeneity across studies could be due to differences in the diagnostic criteria used for both RLS and PN. RLS is a frequent clinical complaint in patients with PN of different aetiologies, mainly diabetic PN, uraemic PNP, familial amyloid PNP, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and chronic dysimmune inflammatory PNP. Recent neurophysiological findings suggest the presence of small sensory fibre loss in patients diagnosed with idiopathic RLS, but it remains to be determined whether RLS associated with small sensory fibre loss and idiopathic RLS are different clinical entities. CONCLUSIONS Future studies including clinical and neurophysiological assessment and skin biopsy involving a large series of patients with PN and RLS are needed for a better understanding of the association between these two entities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elena García-Martín
- UNEx, ARADyAL Instituto de Salud Carlos III, University Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Cáceres, Spain
| | - José A G Agúndez
- UNEx, ARADyAL Instituto de Salud Carlos III, University Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers, Cáceres, Spain
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Andréasson M, Lagali N, Badian RA, Utheim TP, Scarpa F, Colonna A, Allgeier S, Bartschat A, Köhler B, Mikut R, Reichert KM, Solders G, Samuelsson K, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Svenningsson P. Parkinson's disease with restless legs syndrome-an in vivo corneal confocal microscopy study. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:4. [PMID: 33402694 PMCID: PMC7785738 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-020-00148-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) has been suggested as a trigger of restless legs syndrome (RLS). An increased prevalence of peripheral neuropathy has been demonstrated in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to investigate, in a cross-sectional manner, whether SFN is overrepresented in PD patients with concurrent RLS relative to PD patients without RLS, using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM) and quantitative sensory testing (QST) as part of small fiber assessment. Study participants comprised of age- and sex-matched PD patients with (n = 21) and without RLS (n = 21), and controls (n = 13). Diagnosis of RLS was consolidated with the sensory suggested immobilization test. Assessments included nerve conduction studies (NCS), Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS), QST, and IVCCM, with automated determination of corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) and branch density (CNBD) from wide-area mosaics of the subbasal nerve plexus. Plasma neurofilament light (p-NfL) was determined as a measure of axonal degeneration. No significant differences were found between groups when comparing CNFL (p = 0.81), CNBD (p = 0.92), NCS (p = 0.82), and QST (minimum p = 0.54). UENS scores, however, differed significantly (p = 0.001), with post-hoc pairwise testing revealing higher scores in both PD groups relative to controls (p = 0.018 and p = 0.001). Analysis of all PD patients (n = 42) revealed a correlation between the duration of L-dopa therapy and CNBD (ρ = -0.36, p = 0.022), and p-NfL correlated with UENS (ρ = 0.35, p = 0.026) and NCS (ρ = -0.51, p = 0.001). Small and large fiber neuropathy do not appear to be associated with RLS in PD. Whether peripheral small and/or large fiber pathology associates with central neurodegeneration in PD merits further longitudinal studies.
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Grants
- Received funding from Hofgren’s fond, NEURO Sweden, for the present study
- Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
- Parts of the work were funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – Project 273371152
- HZ is a Wallenberg Scholar supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (#2018-02532), the European Research Council (#681712), Swedish State Support for Clinical Research (#ALFGBG-720931), the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), USA (#201809-2016862), and the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL. KB is supported by the Swedish Research Council (#2017-00915), the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), USA (#RDAPB-201809-2016615), the Swedish Alzheimer Foundation (#AF-742881), Hjärnfonden, Sweden (#FO2017-0243), the Swedish State under the agreement between the Swedish government and the County Councils, the ALF-agreement (#ALFGBG-715986), and European Union Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Disorders (JPND2019-466-236).
- Received funding from Region Stockholm ALF programme
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Andréasson
- Center for Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Reza A Badian
- Unit of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Fabio Scarpa
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Colonna
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stephan Allgeier
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andreas Bartschat
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Bernd Köhler
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ralf Mikut
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Klaus-Martin Reichert
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Göran Solders
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Samuelsson
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UCL Institute of Neurology, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Per Svenningsson
- Center for Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Xu Z, Han T, Li T, Zhang X, Huang Z, Zhan S, Liu C, Xu J, Wang Y. Increased Gray Matter Density and Functional Connectivity of the Pons in Restless Legs Syndrome. Nat Sci Sleep 2020; 12:221-230. [PMID: 32273784 PMCID: PMC7102916 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s239852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurophysiological and radiological studies provide accumulating evidence for the involvement of the brainstem in the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome (RLS). The analysis of the various subregions of the brainstem may help us better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disorder. In this study, we investigated the structural and functional changes in the various subregions of the brainstem in RLS patients. METHODS The subregional changes in gray matter density and functional connectivity in the brainstem were analyzed in 20 drug-naive idiopathic RLS patients, as well as 18 normal control (NC) subjects for comparison. Correlation analyses and multivariate pattern analyses using linear support vector machine (SVM) were conducted. RESULTS We found significantly increased gray matter density in two clusters in the pons (designated pons_1 and pons_2) and in one cluster in the midbrain in RLS patients compared with NC subjects. Further functional connectivity analyses revealed significantly decreased functional connectivity between the midbrain and the right middle occipital gyrus, between pons_1 and the right orbital part of the superior frontal gyrus, and between pons_2 and the right parahippocampus in RLS compared with NC. Moreover, the functional connectivity between pons_2 and the right supplementary motor area (SMA) was significantly increased in RLS compared with NC. This change in RLS was marginally correlated with RS_RLS scores in the RLS patients. SVM-based classification showed an AUC of 0.955 using gray matter density of pons_2, and functional connectivity between pons_2 and SMA as features. CONCLUSION Collectively, our findings suggest that changes in gray matter density and functional connectivity in the pons may play a pathologic role in RLS. Furthermore, these abnormal changes in the pons might help to discriminate RLS from healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhexue Xu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Han
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Li
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoyang Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqin Zhan
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinping Xu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
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Restless legs syndrome: Clinical changes in nervous system excitability at the spinal cord level. Sleep Med Rev 2019; 47:9-17. [PMID: 31212170 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a complex multifactorial disorder whose aetiology has yet to be fully elucidated. Some of the features of RLS, such as processing of sensations and activation of movement, may result from a dysfunction in spinal processing giving rise to a state of spinal hyperexcitability. In the current article we review studies investigating spinal excitability in RLS patients looking specifically at electrophysiological studies of spinal activity, sensory evaluations, and spinal reflex studies. Increased spinal excitability has been shown in RLS patients based on the combined data from electrophysiological studies. Results from studies assessing sensory evaluations in RLS patients show enhanced spinal processing of nociceptive inputs possibly due to central sensitisation. However, not all sensory modalities demonstrate an increase in sensitivity. An increase in nervous system excitability would result in an increase in reflex responses in RLS patients however the data from reflex analyses in RLS patients has failed to consistently show this expected result. Overall changes to RLS spinal excitability have been demonstrated though these changes might be heterogeneous as not all afferent input appears to be affected in the same manner. There may be phase-dependent and modality-dependent alterations in spinal excitability suggesting that the theory of absolute spinal hyperexcitability in RLS patients' needs to be reconsidered.
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7
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Fila M, Stasiołek M, Markiewicz A, Bogucki A. Functional Evaluation of Small Fiber Pathways in Primary Restless Legs Syndrome: Aδ Pathway Study. J Clin Sleep Med 2017; 13:1455-1462. [PMID: 29117885 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.6848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to provide a neurophysiological evaluation of the function of large and small fibers, particularly the peripheral part of the thermonociceptive Aδ pathway in patients with primary restless legs syndrome (RLS). METHODS The main evaluation was based on an analysis of the parameters of laser-evoked potentials (LEPs), N2 and P2 components, and an assessment of thermonociceptive thresholds (pain thresholds; PThs). Routine nerve conduction studies (NCS) were also performed. RESULTS No essential or important differences of clinical significance were observed in the parameters of large fiber conduction between the study and the control groups. Prolonged latencies of N2 and P2 potentials were obtained during foot stimulation in patients with primary RLS when compared to controls (N2, P2-lower right limb, and N2-lower left limb). We also observed higher amplitudes of LEPs evaluated as P2 and N2-P2 potentials in patients with primary RLS in comparison with the control group. Significantly higher (normal distribution P < .05) thermonociceptive thresholds in both lower and upper limbs were found in the RLS group. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the analysis of LEPs and their comparison with the respective results from the control group, the presence of functional disability of the thermonociceptive Aδ pathway was confirmed in patients with primary RLS. The results indicated the presence of changes in the conduction of small fiber pathways in the pathomechanism of idiopathic RLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Fila
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Neurology Department, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
| | - Mariusz Stasiołek
- Neurology Department, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
| | - Adam Markiewicz
- Neurology Department, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bogucki
- Department of Extrapyramidal Diseases, Central University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
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Cho YW, Kang MS, Kim KT, Do SY, Lim JG, Lee SY, Motamedi GK. Quantitative sensory test for primary restless legs syndrome/Willis–Ekbom disease using the current perception threshold test. Sleep Med 2017; 30:19-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Koo BB, Bagai K, Walters AS. Restless Legs Syndrome: Current Concepts about Disease Pathophysiology. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 6:401. [PMID: 27536462 PMCID: PMC4961894 DOI: 10.7916/d83j3d2g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background In the past few decades, much has been learned about the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Investigators have studied neuropathology, imaging, electrophysiology, and genetics of RLS, identifying brain regions and biological systems affected in RLS. This manuscript will review RLS pathophysiology literature, examining the RLS state through consideration of the neuroanatomy, then the biological, organ, and genetic systems. Methods Pubmed (1966 to April 2016) was searched for the term “restless legs syndrome” cross-referenced with “pathophysiology,” “pathogenesis,” “pathology,” or “imaging.” English language papers were reviewed. Studies that focused on RLS in relation to another disease were not reviewed. Results Although there are no gross structural brain abnormalities in RLS, widespread brain areas are activated, including the pre- and post-central gyri, cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. Pathologically, the most consistent finding is striatal iron deficiency in RLS patients. A host of other biological systems are also altered in RLS, including the dopaminergic, oxygen-sensing, opioid, glutamatergic, and serotonergic systems. Polymorphisms in genes including BTBD9 and MEIS1 are associated with RLS. Discussion RLS is a neurologic sensorimotor disorder that involves pathology, most notably iron deficiency, in motor and sensory brain areas. Brain areas not subserving movement or sensation such as the cingulate cortex and cerebellum are also involved. Other biological systems including the dopaminergic, oxygen-sensing, opioid, glutamatergic, and serotonergic systems are involved. Further research is needed to determine which of these anatomic locations or biological systems are affected primarily, and which are affected in a secondary response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian B Koo
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurology, Connecticut Veterans Affairs Health System, West Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for Neuroepidemiology & Clinical Neurological Research, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kanika Bagai
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Arthur S Walters
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Trenkwalder C, Allen R, Högl B, Paulus W, Winkelmann J. Restless legs syndrome associated with major diseases: A systematic review and new concept. Neurology 2016; 86:1336-1343. [PMID: 26944272 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000002542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent publications on both the genetics and environmental factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) defined as a clinical disorder suggest that overlapping genetic risk factors may play a role in primary (idiopathic) and secondary (symptomatic) RLS. Following a systematic literature search of RLS associated with comorbidities, we identified an increased prevalence of RLS only in iron deficiency and kidney disease. In cardiovascular disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes, migraine, and Parkinson disease, the methodology of studies was poor, but an association might be possible. There is insufficient evidence for conditions such as anemia (without iron deficiency), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, headache, stroke, narcolepsy, and ataxias. Based on possible gene-microenvironmental interaction, the classifications primary and secondary RLS may suggest an inappropriate causal relation. We recognize that in some conditions, treatment of the underlying disease should be achieved as far as possible to reduce or eliminate RLS symptoms. RLS might be seen as a continuous spectrum with a major genetic contribution at one end and a major environmental or comorbid disease contribution at the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Trenkwalder
- From Center of Parkinsonism and Movement Disorders (C.T.), Paracelsus-Elena Hospital, Kassel; Departments of Neurosurgery (C.T.) and Clinical Neurophysiology (W.P.), University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology (R.A.), The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Neurogenomic (J.W.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg; Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (J.W.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich; and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) (J.W.), Munich, Germany.
| | - Richard Allen
- From Center of Parkinsonism and Movement Disorders (C.T.), Paracelsus-Elena Hospital, Kassel; Departments of Neurosurgery (C.T.) and Clinical Neurophysiology (W.P.), University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology (R.A.), The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Neurogenomic (J.W.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg; Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (J.W.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich; and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) (J.W.), Munich, Germany
| | - Birgit Högl
- From Center of Parkinsonism and Movement Disorders (C.T.), Paracelsus-Elena Hospital, Kassel; Departments of Neurosurgery (C.T.) and Clinical Neurophysiology (W.P.), University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology (R.A.), The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Neurogenomic (J.W.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg; Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (J.W.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich; and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) (J.W.), Munich, Germany
| | - Walter Paulus
- From Center of Parkinsonism and Movement Disorders (C.T.), Paracelsus-Elena Hospital, Kassel; Departments of Neurosurgery (C.T.) and Clinical Neurophysiology (W.P.), University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology (R.A.), The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Neurogenomic (J.W.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg; Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (J.W.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich; and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) (J.W.), Munich, Germany
| | - Juliane Winkelmann
- From Center of Parkinsonism and Movement Disorders (C.T.), Paracelsus-Elena Hospital, Kassel; Departments of Neurosurgery (C.T.) and Clinical Neurophysiology (W.P.), University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology (R.A.), The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Neurogenomic (J.W.), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg; Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (J.W.), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich; and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) (J.W.), Munich, Germany.
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Impaired vascular endothelial function in patients with restless legs syndrome: a new aspect of the vascular pathophysiology. J Neurol Sci 2015; 359:207-10. [PMID: 26671114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder in which patients feel unpleasant leg sensations and the urge to move their legs during rest, particularly at night. Leg movement improves these symptoms. Although several studies have demonstrated an association between cardiovascular disease and RLS, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Recent studies have shown changes in the peripheral microvasculature, including altered blood flow and capillary tortuosity, and peripheral hypoxia. Vascular endothelial dysfunction can be assessed noninvasively with ultrasound measurements of brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Therefore, this study investigated FMD in RLS patients to determine the involvement of microvascular alterations in this disorder. METHODS The study enrolled 25 drug-naïve RLS patients and 25 sex- and age-matched controls and compared the FMD values of the two groups. RLS was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. RESULTS FMD was significantly lower in the RLS patients (6.6 ± 1.2%) compared to the controls (8.4 ± 1.8%; p<0.05) and the RLS patients showed a weak, negative correlation between RLS severity and FMD (r=-0.419, p=0.04). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that RLS (B=-1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.72 to -1.02; p<0.001) and age (B=-0.06; 95% CI -0.12 to -0.02; p<0.001) were significantly and inversely correlated with FMD. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that RLS patients have poorer vascular endothelial function than normal healthy subjects and provides further evidence supporting the involvement of peripheral systems in the generation of RLS.
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Chokroverty S. Differential Diagnoses of Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease. Sleep Med Clin 2015; 10:249-62, xii. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2015.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Gupta R, Ahmad S, Dhar M, Goel D, Lahan V. Clinical presentation of restless legs syndrome: Does the gender matter? Sleep Biol Rhythms 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/sbr.12059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Gupta
- Department of Psychiatry; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
- Department of Sleep Clinic; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
| | - Sohaib Ahmad
- Department of Medicine; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
| | - Minakshi Dhar
- Department of Medicine; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
| | - Deepak Goel
- Department of Sleep Clinic; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
- Department of Neurology; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
| | - Vivekananda Lahan
- Department of Psychiatry; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
- Department of Sleep Clinic; Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences; Dehradun India
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14
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Winkelman JW, Gagnon A, Clair AG. Sensory symptoms in restless legs syndrome: the enigma of pain. Sleep Med 2013; 14:934-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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