Periodic limb movements in REM sleep: A periodically concerning phenomenon

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) are involuntary, repetitive limb movements during sleep.
• PLMS prevalence increases with age and is associated with comorbidities like other sleep disorders, medical conditions, and substance use.
• Typically, PLMS occur in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and are absent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, except in REM behavior disorder (RBD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the phenomenon of PLMS specifically in relation to REM sleep.
• To investigate the presence and characteristics of PLMS in RBD.
• To explore PLMS occurring in REM sleep without atonia and in other sleep and neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review.
• Analysis of existing research on PLMS and REM sleep.
• Synthesis of findings related to PLMS in various sleep and neurological contexts.

Main Results:

• PLMS are primarily associated with NREM sleep but can occur in REM sleep.
• PLMS are a feature of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
• The occurrence of PLMS in REM sleep without atonia or in other conditions requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• PLMS have a complex relationship with REM sleep, extending beyond typical NREM associations.
• Understanding PLMS in REM sleep is crucial for diagnosing and managing related sleep and neurological disorders.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and implications of PLMS during REM sleep.