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Antelmi E, Mogavero MP, Lanza G, Cartella SM, Ferini-Strambi L, Plazzi G, Ferri R, Tinazzi M. Sensory aspects of restless legs syndrome: Clinical, neurophysiological and neuroimaging prospectives. Sleep Med Rev 2024; 76:101949. [PMID: 38749362 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2024.101949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/26/2024]
Abstract
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a complex sensorimotor disorder, classified among the sleep-related movement disorders. Although sensory symptoms appear as key features of the disorder, they are still poorly characterized from a clinical perspective and conceptualized from a pathophysiological point of view. In this review, we aim to describe the clinical and functional substrates of RLS, focusing mainly on its sensory symptoms and on their neurophysiological and anatomical correlates. Knowledge of both subjective sensory symptoms and objective sensory signs are still controversial. Current data also indicate that the sensory component of RLS seems to be subserved by anomalies of sensorimotor integration and by mechanism of central sensitization. Overall, electrophysiological findings highlight the involvement of multiple generators in the pathogenesis of RLS, eventually resulting in an increased nervous system excitability and/or alterations in inhibition within the somatosensory and nociceptive pathways. Structural and functional neuroimaging data show the involvement of several crucial areas and circuits, among which the thalamus appears to play a pivotal role. A holistic approach looking at brain connectivity, structural or functional abnormalities, and their interplay with molecular vulnerability and neurotransmitter alterations is warranted to disentangle the complex framework of RLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Antelmi
- Neurology Unit, Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Division, DIMI Department of Engineering and Medicine of Innovation, University of Verona, Italy.
| | - Maria P Mogavero
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Sleep Disorders Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy; University of Catania, Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Catania, Italy
| | - Sandy M Cartella
- Movement Disorders Centre, Department of Neurology, Policlinico "Madonna Della Consolazione", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Luigi Ferini-Strambi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Sleep Disorders Center, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Plazzi
- IRCCS, Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Neurology Unit, Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
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Mail Gurkan Z, Tantik Pak A, Parlakkaya FB, Kilicarslan T, Yilmaz O, Sengul Y. Recognition of emotional face expressions in patients with restless legs syndrome. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024; 31:554-559. [PMID: 35213285 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2043326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is one of the commonest neurologic diseases. Along with sensory and motor symptoms, cognitive impairment and psychiatric features can be seen with RLS. The present study, was planned to look for evidence of cognitive impairment by evaluating facial emotion recognition (FER) in patients with RLS. METHODS In this study, 80 patients with RLS and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Demographic data were recorded. All patients with RLS and HCs were tested with Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), Beck depression inventory (BDI) and with Ekman's test for recognition of facial emotions. RESULTS Sixty-three of the patients with RLS and 37 of the HCs were female. The mean age of the patients was 45.41 ± 8.24, and the mean age of HCs was 43.12 ± 10.35. The patients and HCs were similar regarding sex, age, educational status, and marital status. Patients with RLS had FER difficulties comparing HCs. There was a negative correlation between Ekman's test scores and BDI (r = -0.311, p < 0.001) and BAI scores (r = -0.379, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION FER is an invaluable research topic regarding cognitive function in RLS, which may help us develop different perspectives in terms of revealing the pathophysiology and is very important for the well-being of the patients' social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahide Mail Gurkan
- Neurology Departmant, Karayolları, Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aygül Tantik Pak
- Department of Neurology, Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, İSTANBUL, Turkey
| | | | | | - Onur Yilmaz
- Dogus University, Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yıldızhan Sengul
- Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
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Lanza G, Mogavero MP, Lanuzza B, Tripodi M, Cantone M, Pennisi M, Bella R, Ferri R. A Topical Review on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Restless Legs Syndrome. CURRENT SLEEP MEDICINE REPORTS 2024; 10:207-216. [DOI: 10.1007/s40675-024-00282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/26/2024]
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Abstract
Sleep homeostasis is a complex neurobiologic phenomenon involving a number of molecular pathways, neurotransmitter release, synaptic activity, and factors modulating neural networks. Sleep plasticity allows for homeostatic optimization of neural networks and the replay-based consolidation of specific circuits, especially important for cognition, behavior, and information processing. Furthermore, research is currently moving from an essentially brain-focused to a more comprehensive view involving other systems, such as the immune system, hormonal status, and metabolic pathways. When dysfunctional, these systems contribute to sleep loss and fragmentation as well as to sleep need. In this chapter, the implications of neural plasticity and sleep homeostasis for the diagnosis and treatment of some major sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, restless legs syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, and narcolepsy are discussed in detail with their therapeutical implications. This chapter highlights that sleep is necessary for the maintenance of an optimal brain function and is sensitive to both genetic background and environmental enrichment. Even in pathologic conditions, sleep acts as a resilient plastic state that consolidates prior information and prioritizes network activity for efficient brain functioning.
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Neurophysiological Aspects of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2021. [PMID: 34942893 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121588.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) is the polysomnographic (PSG) hallmark of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a feature essential for the diagnosis of this condition. Several additional neurophysiological aspects of this complex disorder have also recently been investigated in depth, which constitute the focus of this narrative review, together with RSWA. First, we describe the complex neural network underlying REM sleep and its muscle atonia, focusing on the disordered mechanisms leading to RSWA. RSWA is then described in terms of its polysomnographic features, and the methods (visual and automatic) currently available for its scoring and quantification are exposed and discussed. Subsequently, more recent and advanced neurophysiological features of RBD are described, such as electroencephalography during wakefulness and sleep, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. The role of the assessment of neurophysiological features in the study of RBD is then carefully discussed, highlighting their usefulness and sensitivity in detecting neurodegeneration in the early or prodromal stages of RBD, as well as their relationship with other proposed biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of this condition. Finally, a future research agenda is proposed to help clarify the many still unclear aspects of RBD.
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Figorilli M, Lanza G, Congiu P, Lecca R, Casaglia E, Mogavero MP, Puligheddu M, Ferri R. Neurophysiological Aspects of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11121588. [PMID: 34942893 PMCID: PMC8699681 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) is the polysomnographic (PSG) hallmark of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a feature essential for the diagnosis of this condition. Several additional neurophysiological aspects of this complex disorder have also recently been investigated in depth, which constitute the focus of this narrative review, together with RSWA. First, we describe the complex neural network underlying REM sleep and its muscle atonia, focusing on the disordered mechanisms leading to RSWA. RSWA is then described in terms of its polysomnographic features, and the methods (visual and automatic) currently available for its scoring and quantification are exposed and discussed. Subsequently, more recent and advanced neurophysiological features of RBD are described, such as electroencephalography during wakefulness and sleep, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. The role of the assessment of neurophysiological features in the study of RBD is then carefully discussed, highlighting their usefulness and sensitivity in detecting neurodegeneration in the early or prodromal stages of RBD, as well as their relationship with other proposed biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of this condition. Finally, a future research agenda is proposed to help clarify the many still unclear aspects of RBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Figorilli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (P.C.); (R.L.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy;
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Patrizia Congiu
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (P.C.); (R.L.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Lecca
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (P.C.); (R.L.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elisa Casaglia
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (P.C.); (R.L.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria P. Mogavero
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Monica Puligheddu
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (P.C.); (R.L.); (E.C.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0935-936111
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania. Via Santa Sofia, 78 - 95125, Catania, Italy; Department of Neurology IC, Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero, 73 - 94018, Troina, Italy.
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