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Evaluation of periodic leg movements and associated transcranial magnetic stimulation parameters in restless legs syndrome
Author(s) -
Kutukcu Yasar,
Dogruer Erhan,
Yetki̇n Si̇nan,
Ozgen Fuat,
Vural Okay,
Aydi̇n Hamdullah
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20427
Subject(s) - restless legs syndrome , transcranial magnetic stimulation , neurological disorder , physical medicine and rehabilitation , dopaminergic , stimulation , sleep (system call) , medicine , duration (music) , sleep disorder , psychology , anesthesia , physical therapy , central nervous system disease , neuroscience , neurology , insomnia , dopamine , psychiatry , computer science , operating system , art , literature
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a sensorimotor disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations commonly localized in the legs, is frequently associated with periodic limb movements (PLMs) during sleep. We investigated the role of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cortical silent period (CSP) duration as diagnostic and monitoring tools in 20 patients with primary RLS before and after 1 month of treatment and also studied 15 normal age‐ and gender‐matched subjects. Polysomnographic assessment was undertaken and the PLM index determined in 17 of the 20 patients. We also studied the correlation between sleep efficiency index and CSP duration because of the increasing severity of the sleep disturbance and PLMs in patients with RLS. Our results demonstrate that the duration of the CSP was reduced in patients with RLS, and that dopaminergic treatment normalized this duration. There was no correlation between the PLM index and CSP duration. It may be speculated that PLMs and the CSP are due to different inhibitory mechanisms and they may be used separately as diagnostic and monitoring tools in patients with primary RLS. Muscle Nerve, 2005