Restless Legs Syndrome Severity and Cognitive Function in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects up to 26% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• RLS in MS is potentially associated with cognitive impairments.
• This study investigates the link between RLS symptom severity and cognitive function in adults with MS and RLS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between RLS symptom severity, frequency, and occurrence and cognitive function in adults with MS.
• To determine if specific RLS symptom patterns correlate with particular cognitive deficits.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two adults with MS and RLS participated.
• Participants completed the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS) and the Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis battery.

Main Results:

• Worse overall RLS severity correlated with slower processing speed, poorer verbal memory, and poorer visual memory.
• Increased RLS severity during sleep onset was linked to worse verbal and visual memory.
• Worse RLS severity during daytime activity was associated with slower processing speed and poorer verbal and visual memory.

Conclusions:

• More severe RLS symptoms, both at sleep onset and during the day, are associated with diminished cognitive function in adults with MS.
• Cognitive deficits, particularly in processing speed and memory, may be linked to RLS severity.
• Further research is warranted to explore if treating RLS can improve cognitive function in adults with MS.