Is autonomic nervous system involved in restless legs syndrome during wakefulness?

Francesca Izzi, Fabio Placidi, Andrea Romigi, Benedetta Lauretti, Girolama A. Marfia, Nicola B. Mercuri, Maria G. Marciani, Camilla Rocchi

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with restless leg syndrome (RLS) by means of cardiovascular reflexes and heart rate variability (HRV) during wakefulness. Methods: Twelve RLS patients and 14 controls underwent cardiovascular function tests including head-up tilt test (HUTT), Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing, hand grip, and cold face. HRV analysis was performed in the frequency domain using both autoregressive (AR) and fast Fourier transform algorithms in rest supine condition and during HUTT. Results: There was a significant increase in systolic blood pressure values in supine rest condition and a trend toward a lower Valsalva ratio in RLS patients with respect to controls. The significant and physiological changes of HRV at HUTT detected in healthy subjects were not found in RLS patients. Conclusion: RLS patients exhibit a tendency toward hypertension, reduced amplitude of both sympathetic and parasympathetic responses at HUTT, as well as blunted parasympathetic drive to blood pressure changes. These findings, if confirmed by more controlled studies, might support the hypothesis of autonomic nervous system involvement during wakefulness and consequently an enhanced cardiovascular risk in RLS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1392-1397
Number of pages6
JournalSleep Medicine
Volume15
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1 2014

Fingerprint

Restless Legs Syndrome
Wakefulness
Autonomic Nervous System
Head
Heart Rate
Blood Pressure
Valsalva Maneuver
Hand Strength
Fourier Analysis
Reflex
Healthy Volunteers
Respiration
Hand
Hypertension

Keywords

  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Cardiovascular reflexes
  • Heart rate variability
  • Periodic limb movements
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Sleep

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

Cite this

Is autonomic nervous system involved in restless legs syndrome during wakefulness? / Izzi, Francesca; Placidi, Fabio; Romigi, Andrea; Lauretti, Benedetta; Marfia, Girolama A.; Mercuri, Nicola B.; Marciani, Maria G.; Rocchi, Camilla.

In: Sleep Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 11, 01.11.2014, p. 1392-1397.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Izzi, F, Placidi, F, Romigi, A, Lauretti, B, Marfia, GA, Mercuri, NB, Marciani, MG & Rocchi, C 2014, 'Is autonomic nervous system involved in restless legs syndrome during wakefulness?', Sleep Medicine, vol. 15, no. 11, pp. 1392-1397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2014.06.022
Izzi F, Placidi F, Romigi A, Lauretti B, Marfia GA, Mercuri NB et al. Is autonomic nervous system involved in restless legs syndrome during wakefulness? Sleep Medicine. 2014 Nov 1;15(11):1392-1397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2014.06.022
Izzi, Francesca ; Placidi, Fabio ; Romigi, Andrea ; Lauretti, Benedetta ; Marfia, Girolama A. ; Mercuri, Nicola B. ; Marciani, Maria G. ; Rocchi, Camilla. / Is autonomic nervous system involved in restless legs syndrome during wakefulness?. In: Sleep Medicine. 2014 ; Vol. 15, No. 11. pp. 1392-1397.
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