A Comparative Investigation of Functional Connectivity Utilizing Electroencephalography in Insomnia Patients With and Without Restless Leg Syndrome

Abstract

Objective The current study aimed to identify distinctive functional brain connectivity characteristics that differentiate patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) from those with primary insomnia. Methods Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) was employed to analyze connectivity matrices using the phase-locking value technique. A total of 107 patients with RLS (RLS group) and 17 patients with insomnia without RLS (primary insomnia group) were included in the study. Demographic variables were compared using t tests and chi-square tests, while differences in connectivity were examined through multiple analyses of covariance. Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between connectivity and the severity of RLS. Results The results indicated significant differences in the primary somatosensory cortex (F = 4.377, r = 0.039), primary visual cortex (F = 4.215, r = 0.042), and anterior prefrontal cortex (F = 5.439, r = 0.021) between the RLS and primary insomnia groups. Furthermore, the connectivity of the sensory cortex, including the primary somatosensory cortex (r = −0.247, p = 0.014), sensory association cortex (r = −0.238, p = 0.028), retrosplenial region (r = −0.302, p = 0.002), angular gyrus (r = −0.258, p = 0.008), supramarginal gyrus (r = −0.230, p = 0.020), primary visual cortex (r = −0.275, p = 0.005) and secondary visual cortex (r = −0.226, p = 0.025) exhibited an inverse association with RLS symptom severity. Conclusion The prefrontal cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and visual cortex showed potential as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing RLS from primary insomnia. These findings indicate that QEEG-based functional connectivity analysis shows promise as a valuable diagnostic tool for RLS and provides insights into its underlying mechanisms. Further research is needed to explore this aspect further.

Alteration of Functional Connectivity before and after Electroconvulsive Therapy in a Single Patient with Depression and Catatonia

“…Recent studies suggest that dysconnection in three motor pathways within the brain may be responsible for catatonic symptoms [ 12 ]. One pathway inhibits and excites movements, while another controls motor dynamics and timing.…”