The Role of Periodic Limb Movements During Sleep in Restless Legs Syndrome: A Selective Update.

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) are a highly active research topic and accumulating recent evidence has led to reevaluation of key aspects on the role of PLMS in restless legs syndrome (RLS). This article summarizes the recent developments in 3 areas: the relationship of PLMS to cortical arousals in patients with RLS, the differential effect of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic treatment on PLMS, and the possible emergence of PLMS as a sleep-related cardiovascular risk factor.