Akathisia, restless legs and periodic limb movements in sleep in Parkinson's disease

Neurology. 2004 Oct 26;63(8 Suppl 3):S12-6. doi: 10.1212/wnl.63.8_suppl_3.s12.

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms are often reported in Parkinson's disease (PD), but prevalence studies of RLS in PD are few and the results are inconsistent. In addition, clinical overlapping between RLS, "wearing-off"-related lower limb discomfort and restlessness, and akathisia complicate the clinical assessments of true RLS in PD. Underlying pathophysiology potentially shared by RLS and PD is mainly suggested by similarities in treatment response. Functional imaging studies in RLS are still inconclusive, although some authors have found subtle deficits in nigrostriatal terminal function. Long-term prospective studies of RLS cohorts will clarify whether or not RLS is associated with an increased risk for development of PD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Akathisia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cohort Studies
  • Corpus Striatum / physiopathology
  • Dopamine Agents / adverse effects
  • Dopamine Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / etiology*
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Prevalence
  • Psychomotor Agitation / epidemiology
  • Psychomotor Agitation / etiology*
  • Psychomotor Agitation / physiopathology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / etiology*
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / epidemiology
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / etiology*
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / physiopathology
  • Substantia Nigra / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Dopamine Agents