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

687
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...
687
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

1.1K
Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
1.1K
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

729
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
729
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

744
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
744
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

2.2K
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...
2.2K
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

1.5K
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
1.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Addressing cognitive impairment in drivers on hemodialysis through reaction time.

Dementia & neuropsychologia·2026
Same author

The Role of Mitochondria in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Implications for the Upper Airway Muscles.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Brazilian Academy of Neurology practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: part I.

Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria·2022
Same author

A randomized clinical trial on inhaled ciclesonide for managing acute asthma in the emergency room.

Sao Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina·2022
Same author

Misdiagnosing restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease despite the IRLSSG criteria.

Sleep medicine·2020
Same author

Creating cartoons to represent habitual leg movements.

Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

3.2K

Benzodiazepines for restless legs syndrome.

Karla Carlos1, Gilmar F Prado1, Camila Dm Teixeira1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|March 21, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The effectiveness of benzodiazepines for treating restless legs syndrome (RLS) is unknown. No studies met the criteria for this systematic review on RLS treatment options.

More Related Videos

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

1.5K
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

20.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

3.2K
Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
07:35

Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

1.5K
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

20.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) affects 5-15% of the population, significantly impacting sleep and quality of life.
  • Benzodiazepines are commonly considered for sleep induction, leading to their intuitive use in RLS management.
  • Current guidelines suggest benzodiazepines are not a first-line RLS treatment but may be used as adjunctive therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepine treatment for idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
  • To compare benzodiazepine efficacy against placebo or other interventions for RLS.
  • To include unconfounded trials comparing benzodiazepines versus open controls.

Main Methods:

  • Searched multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS) in March 2016 for relevant studies.
  • Included randomized clinical trials investigating benzodiazepine treatment for idiopathic RLS.
  • Checked study references and contacted authors for additional relevant trials.

Main Results:

  • No studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review.
  • Data collection and analysis were not performed due to the absence of eligible studies.
  • Two crossover studies are awaiting classification pending further data.

Conclusions:

  • The effectiveness of benzodiazepines for treating Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) remains undetermined.
  • Further research is required to establish the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepines in RLS management.