Affiliations: [a] Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| [b] Department of Neurology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| [c] School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Donald L. Bliwise, PhD, Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Sleep Center, 12 Executive Park Drive, Room 435, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. Tel.: +1 404 712 7241; Fax: +1 404 712 8145; E-mail: dbliwis@emory.edu.
Abstract: Background:The association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains controversial, with epidemiologic and descriptive evidence suggesting some potential overlap while mechanistic/genetic studies suggesting relative independence of the conditions. Objective:To examine a known, objectively measured endophenotype for RLS, periodic leg movements (PLMS) in sleep, in patients with PD and relate that objective finding to restless legs symptoms. Methods:We performed polysomnography for one (n = 8) or two (n = 67) consecutive nights in 75 PD patients and examined the association of PLMS with restless legs symptoms. Results:We found no association between restless legs symptoms and PLMS in PD. Prevalence of both was similar to data reported previously in other PD samples. Conclusion:We interpret these results as suggesting that restless legs symptoms in PD patients may represent a different phenomenon and pathophysiology than RLS in the non-PD population.
Keywords: Restless legs, periodic leg movements in sleep, Parkinson’s disease
