title: Is autonomic nervous system involved in restless legs syndrome during wakefulness?
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Neurophysiopathology Unit, Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Izzi
authors.affiliation: Neurophysiopathology Unit, Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Placidi
authors.affiliation: Neurophysiopathology Unit, Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romigi
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lauretti
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Girolama A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Marfia
authors.affiliation: Neurophysiopathology Unit, Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Mercuri
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marciani
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: rocchicamilla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rocchi
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018667:Tilt-Table Test; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Cardiovascular reflexes; Heart rate variability; Periodic limb movements; Restless legs syndrome; Sleep