The effects of L-dopa on periodic leg movements and sleep organization in narcolepsy.
A large proportion of narcoleptic patients have periodic leg movements (PMS) in sleep. The contribution of these movements to the nocturnal sleep disturbance observed in narcoleptics remains a controversial issue. The aim of the present study was to look at the sleep organization of narcoleptic patients before and after suppression of periodic leg movements with L-dopa. L-dopa and a placebo were administered in a double-blind fashion to six narcoleptic patients. Each treatment period lasted 2 weeks and the treatment order was reversed for one-half of the subjects. The effects of L-dopa and placebo were evaluated by polysomnography. A significant reduction of PMS was seen after treatment with L-dopa, but this treatment did not improve sleep organization. On the contrary, L-dopa increased wake time after sleep onset. This result supports the hypothesis that PMS does not play a major role in the nocturnal sleep disruption observed in narcolepsy. It also supports the hypothesis that dopaminergic mechanisms play a role in the physiopathology of PMS.
Boivin
D B
DB
Centre d'Etude du Sommeil, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Montplaisir
J
J
Poirier
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects
D007980:Levodopa