Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

932

Sleep Disorders in a Sample of Patients with Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Focus on Restless Legs Syndrome

Elena Panella1, Laura Papetti2, Martina Proietti Checchi2

  • 1Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 14, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients experience high rates of sleep disorders (SDs) and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). RLS was found in 22.7% of patients, correlating with older age and higher disability scores.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroimmunology

Background:

  • Sleep disorders (SDs) and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) are common in adult Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
  • Limited data exist on the prevalence of SDs and RLS in pediatric-onset MS (POMS).
  • Understanding these comorbidities is crucial for comprehensive POMS care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of SDs and RLS in a cohort of POMS patients.
  • To identify clinical features associated with SDs and RLS in this population.
  • To explore potential correlations with demographic, clinical, and laboratory data.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 44 POMS patients was recruited from a specialized POMS center.
  • Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) or Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC).
  • Patients were screened for RLS, and data were analyzed for correlations with clinical and radiological findings.

Main Results:

  • 61% of POMS patients were classified as 'poor sleepers'.
  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was diagnosed in 10 patients (22.7%).
  • RLS was associated with older age and higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (p=0.028; p=0.03), but not with MRI lesion load or lab data.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric MS patients exhibit a higher prevalence of SDs and RLS than the general pediatric population.
  • Clinical data suggest a possible secondary form of RLS in POMS.
  • Further research is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Keywords:
pediatric-onset multiple sclerosisrestless legs syndromerestless sleep disordersleep disorders

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

2.2K
Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

9.9K

Related Concept Videos

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
120
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
115
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.1K
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
82
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
67
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
222