Can Restless Leg Syndrome be detected on a EEG ?

[newlife54]

Anyone know ? Thanks in advance x

[SueJohnson]

No

[newlife54 in reply to SueJohnson]

I thought so but I just read that it can, so was just wondering . Thanks

[amrob123]

No it can't.

[Skihill]

From what I understand, overnight sleep studies, are the only way to actually determine you have RLS. It's a neuro transmitter in the brain, misfiring, this triggers the legs to move. I've taken most Dopamine related medications. After a time I Augment . I finally gave in , started Methadone. Currently on 22mg a day which I now must begin yo ween down. I don't know how I will make this happen. The Dr'swant me on 15 mg a day. I have an addictive medicine appointment next week. I trust they will help me get off the Methadone? Not fun.

[amrob123 in reply to Skihill]

A finding of restless legs syndrome is typically made via a clinical diagnosis (i.e. a diagnosis made on the basis of medical signs and reported symptoms) as opposed to via any diagnostic testing. Periodic limb movement disorder is typically diagnosed via a sleep study.

[newlife54 in reply to Skihill]

Thank you for your reply. I feel you I was just going to post a question, asking if the RLS symptoms over time get painful and i think your answer pretty much answers that question.

[Spaceclaim in reply to Skihill]

I had a sleep study done and also the doctor said that I didn‘t have RLS but my neurologist said otherwise. So who is right now?

[SueJohnson in reply to Spaceclaim]

All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition.

If you meet these you have RLS. A sleep study is used to diagnoses sleep agnea. It is also used to diagnose PLMD which is when your legs move on their own while sleeping. It is treated the same way as RLS.

[teakabeagle]

no, but it does document the sleep disruption from the RLS and the presence of PLMD.

[amrob123 in reply to teakabeagle]

An EEG measures electrical activity in the brain.

Whether or not this electrical activity is directly related to limb movement is in contention.

The sleep disruption may be caused by limb movements, it may not. An EEG can't tell us this. For example, micro arousals that are seen to occur in a sleep study tend to occur before any limb movement happens.

An EEG by itself cannot detect or diagnose either RLS or PLMD.

[MrCrow]

Transcranial sonography can be used to detect brain iron concentration which is often the root cause of RLS (may not always be though). Other than that afaik there is no test for RLS. EEG is similar to polysomnography and is not necessary to get an RLS diagnosis.