Sleep medicine
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by the association of an urge to move, and vesperal or nocturnal sensory symptoms; it is frequently associated with periodic limb movements. Evidence from imaging and electrophysiological studies suggests that RLS is linked to changes in sensorimotor integration. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms have not been characterized, and the cortical origin has yet to be confirmed. ⋯ With the exception of LAI (which was present in the morning but absent in the evening in both healthy controls and RLS patients), no circadian variations were observed in sensorimotor integration. Although SAI was present in patients with RLS, AIF was disrupted (relative to controls) - suggesting the presence of an indirect sensorimotor integration disorder affecting the long corticocortical pathways in patients with RLS. The lack of circadian modulation in sensorimotor integration suggests that clinical circadian variations have other causes.