Sleep medicine reviews
-
Sleep medicine reviews · Aug 2015
ReviewCatechol-O-methyltransferase, dopamine, and sleep-wake regulation.
Sleep and sleep disorders are complex and highly variable phenotypes regulated by many genes and environment. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is an interesting candidate, being one of the major mammalian enzymes involved in the catabolism of catecholamines. The activity of COMT enzyme is genetically polymorphic due to a guanine-to-adenine transition at codon 158, resulting in a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) substitution. ⋯ Modafinil maintained executive functioning performance and vigilant attention throughout sleep deprivation in subjects with Val/Val genotype, but less in those with Met/Met genotype. Also, homozygous Met/Met patients with narcolepsy responded to lower doses of modafinil compared to Val/Val carriers. We review here the critical role of the common functional COMT gene polymorphism, COMT enzyme activity, and the prefrontal dopamine levels in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness in normal subjects, in narcolepsy and other sleep-related disorders, and its impact on the response to psychostimulants.
-
Sleep medicine reviews · Aug 2015
Review Practice GuidelineConsensus clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease during pregnancy and lactation.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease (WED) is common during pregnancy, affecting approximately one in five pregnant women in Western countries. Many report moderate or severe symptoms and negative impact on sleep. There is very little information in the medical literature for practitioners on the management of this condition during pregnancy. ⋯ A few are rated "may be considered" when RLS/WED is refractory to more conservative approaches. An algorithm summarizes the recommendations. These guidelines are intended to improve clinical practice and promote further research.
-
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep-related sensory-motor disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities. According to many recent studies patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer frequently from symptoms of RLS. The prevalence of RLS in MS patients varies 13.3%-65.1%, which is higher than the prevalence of RLS in people of the same age in the general population. ⋯ Presence of RLS has a negative impact on sleep quality and fatigue of MS patients. Iron deficiency and chronic inflammation may be factors contributing to development of RLS in MS. The relationship between the course and treatment of MS and RLS requires further prospective studies.