Gray matter alterations in restless legs syndrome: A coordinate-based meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Radiology

Background:

• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) is a structural MRI technique for analyzing group differences in gray matter (GM) volume.
• Previous VBM studies on restless leg syndrome (RLS) have yielded inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a coordinate-based meta-analysis (CBMA) of VBM studies in RLS.
• To provide quantitative evidence of GM alterations in RLS.
• To characterize the brain morphometry of RLS.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase.
• Adherence to PRISMA-P guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols.
• Utilizing seed-based d mapping with permutation of subject images (SDM-PSI) software for CBMA.

Main Results:

• This CBMA will present the most current evidence regarding GM alterations in RLS.
• The analysis will synthesize existing VBM data to identify consistent patterns of brain morphometric changes.

Conclusions:

• This will be the first CBMA to pool VBM findings specifically for RLS.
• The study will offer quantitative evidence to define the brain morphometry associated with RLS.