Neuroimaging in Restless Legs Syndrome.
Neuroimaging studies are of crucial relevance in defining the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS). MRI studies showed no structural brain lesions and confirmed a central iron deficiency. Structural and functional studies showed an involvement of the thalamus, sensorimotor cortical areas, and cerebellum in RLS and assessed neurotransmission abnormalities in the dopaminergic and opiate systems. Finally, glutamatergic hyperactivity has been proposed as a cause of disrupted and shortened sleep in RLS. Differences among the results of the studies make it difficult to draw any definitive conclusions, thus, suggesting the need for future research.
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Altura 3, Bologna 40139, Italy; IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: federica.provini@unibo.it.
Federica
F
Provini
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Altura 3, Bologna 40139, Italy.
Giacomo
G
Chiaro
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
Diffusion tensor imaging; MRI; Neuroimaging; PET; Restless legs syndrome; Single-photon emission computed tomography; Voxel-based morphometry; Willis-Ekbom disease