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Reduced Interoception Abilities in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome
Angela Sandri1, Gloria Pompea Mingolla1, Giorgia Camonita1
1Neurology Unit, Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences University of Verona Verona Italy.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients have impaired interoception, affecting their ability to sense internal body states. This reduced interoceptive accuracy is linked to increased nocturnal eating behaviors in RLS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a complex sensorimotor disorder with circadian patterns.
- RLS is often associated with alexithymia and compulsive nocturnal behaviors, complicating its presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interoception in individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
Main Methods:
- A heartbeat tracking task was used to assess interoceptive accuracy (IAC) in 25 RLS patients and 28 controls.
- Data collected included RLS symptom severity, nocturnal behaviors, interoceptive awareness (IAW), alexithymia, and mood symptoms.
Main Results:
- RLS patients demonstrated significantly lower IAC and IAW compared to controls.
- Nocturnal eating behaviors were more prevalent in RLS patients and negatively correlated with IAC and IAW.
- IAC showed a positive correlation with IAW and a negative correlation with age.
Conclusions:
- RLS is characterized by reduced interoceptive abilities, which correlate with increased nocturnal eating.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of interoception in RLS pathophysiology and its connection to sensorimotor functions.
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