[Periodic limb movements in sleep and cerebral small vessel disease progression: a prospective cohort study]

To determine the predictive role of periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) in cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) progression rate.

Fifty patients with cSVD, aged 60-75 y.o., were enrolled. The study protocol included MRI assessment of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), nocturnal actigraphy and cognitive assessment. Depending on the PLMS, the main (PLM index ≥15) and the control (PLM index <15) groups were formed. The second visit was carried out in one year follow-up period, the examination consisted of brain MRI and cognitive assessment under the same protocol. ANCOVA was performed to determine if PLMS influence the degree of MRI- and neuropsychological changes.

A significant effect of PLMS on the increase in the volume of WMH was revealed, both in the form of an increase in the index by more than 15 movements per hour (p=0.03), and quantitatively in the form of a connection with the index value (p=0.048). The influence of PLMS on the progression of cognitive dysfunction has not been found, however, it has been shown that the presence of PLMS is associated with lesions in the deep white matter (r=0.42, p<0.0001), and the results of neuropsychological tests are associated with lesions in the periventricular and juxtacortical WMH (p < 0.05 for each test).

PLMS predict WMH progression in cSVD.