Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

787
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
787
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

2.5K
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
2.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Modulation and subcortical sleep signatures in Parkinson's disease under chronic STN-DBS using synchronized sensing and videopolysomnography.

NPJ Parkinson's disease·2026
Same author

Clinical markers of disease progression in the prodromal to overt alpha-synucleinopathy continuum.

Brain : a journal of neurology·2026
Same author

Long-Term Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy-A 10-Year Follow Up Study.

Annals of clinical and translational neurology·2026
Same author

Daridorexant Treatment for Chronic Insomnia in Restless Legs Syndrome.

Movement disorders clinical practice·2026
Same author

Retinal microvascular changes in patients with transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke: multimodal insights from the REMARK-TIA study.

Journal of neurology·2026
Same author

Disorders of Arousal and Sleep-Related Hypermotor Epilepsy in Adults: A Challenging but Necessary and Critical Distinctive Diagnosis.

European neurology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat
12:41

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat

Published on: August 28, 2021

5.0K

Neuroimaging in Restless Legs Syndrome.

Federica Provini1, Giacomo Chiaro2

  • 1Department 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.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|September 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Neuroimaging reveals restless legs syndrome (RLS) involves brain iron deficiency and altered neurotransmission. Further research is needed to clarify the complex pathophysiology of RLS and its impact on sleep.

Keywords:
Diffusion tensor imagingMRINeuroimagingPETRestless legs syndromeSingle-photon emission computed tomographyVoxel-based morphometryWillis-Ekbom disease

More Related Videos

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain
11:29

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain

Published on: April 20, 2019

10.5K
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Unilateral Hemisphere of Rat Brain
05:47

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Unilateral Hemisphere of Rat Brain

Published on: October 22, 2016

13.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat
12:41

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat

Published on: August 28, 2021

5.0K
Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain
11:29

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain

Published on: April 20, 2019

10.5K
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Unilateral Hemisphere of Rat Brain
05:47

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Unilateral Hemisphere of Rat Brain

Published on: October 22, 2016

13.1K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder affecting sleep quality.
  • Understanding RLS pathophysiology is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review neuroimaging findings in RLS.
  • To elucidate the role of brain structure, function, and neurotransmission in RLS.

Main Methods:

  • Review of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies.
  • Analysis of structural and functional neuroimaging data.
  • Assessment of neurotransmitter systems implicated in RLS.

Main Results:

  • MRI studies indicate no structural brain lesions but confirm central iron deficiency in RLS.
  • Neuroimaging highlights involvement of the thalamus, sensorimotor cortex, and cerebellum.
  • Abnormalities in dopaminergic and opiate systems are observed, with proposed glutamatergic hyperactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Neuroimaging provides insights into RLS pathophysiology, including iron deficiency and neurotransmitter system involvement.
  • Current findings suggest a complex interplay of brain regions and systems in RLS.
  • Discrepancies in study results necessitate further research to establish definitive conclusions.