Synchronization and Propagation of Global Sleep Spindles.

Sleep spindles occur thousands of times during normal sleep and can be easily detected by visual inspection of EEG signals. These characteristics make spindles one of the most studied EEG structures in mammalian sleep. In this work we considered global spindles, which are spindles that are observed simultaneously in all EEG channels. We propose a methodology that investigates both the signal envelope and phase/frequency of each global spindle. By analysing the global spindle phase we showed that 90% of spindles synchronize with an average latency time of 0.1 s. We also measured the frequency modulation (chirp) of global spindles and found that global spindle chirp and synchronization are not correlated. By investigating the signal envelopes and implementing a homogeneous and isotropic propagation model, we could estimate both the signal origin and velocity in global spindles. Our results indicate that this simple and non-invasive approach could determine with reasonable precision the spindle origin, and allowed us to estimate a signal speed of 0.12 m/s. Finally, we consider whether synchronization might be useful as a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

Brazilian consensus on guidelines for diagnosis and treatment for restless legs syndrome.

The Consensus on restless legs syndrome is an effort of neurologists from several Brazilian states, which tirelessly reviewed the literature of recent years in search of evidence, both in regard to diagnosis and treatment, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine.

Brazilian consensus on guidelines for diagnosis and treatment for restless legs syndrome / Consenso Brasileiro para as diretrizes de diagnóstico e tratamento da síndrome das pernas inquietas

The Consensus on restless legs syndrome is an effort of neurologists from several Brazilian states, which tirelessly reviewed the literature of recent years in search of evidence, both in regard to diagnosis and treatment, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine.

O Consenso em síndrome das pernas inquietas contou com a participação de neurologistas de vários estados brasileiros, os quais incansavelmente revisaram a literatura dos últimos anos em busca de evidências, tanto no que se refere ao diagnóstico como ao tratamento, de acordo com a Classificação do Centro de Oxford para Medicina Baseada em Evidências.

NREM sleep alpha and sigma activity in Parkinson's disease: evidence for conflicting electrophysiological activity?

OBJECTIVES: Sleep EEG spectral patterns were investigated in eight newly diagnosed, non-depressed, non-demented, drug-naïve Parkinson's disease patients compared to nine controls. METHODS: Mean relative spectral power density calculated for 0.25 Hz frequency bins and for classical EEG frequency bands. RESULTS: Differences between patients and controls were most prominent in non-REM sleep, specially around 8.6 Hz (slow alpha), 12.5 Hz (fast alpha/slow sigma) and 15 Hz (fast sigma). Slow alpha showed lower p-values over frontal and occipital electrodes, whereas fast sigma activity was more important on central and parietal sites. Significantly increased NREM sleep alpha activity was found in left and right frontal (Mann-Whitney U=12,000, p=.021; U=14,000, p=.036), left and right central (U=14,000, p=.036), left parietal and left occipital (U=13,000, p=.027; U=15,000, p=.046) areas. Increased sigma activity was found in right frontal (U=14,000, p=.036), left central (U=12,000, p=.021), left and right parietal (U=12,000, p=.021; U=13,000, p=.027) and left occipital (U=15,000, p=.046) areas. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitantly increased scalp EEG alpha and sigma activity was found during NREM sleep in initial Parkinson's disease. SIGNIFICANCE: These non-REM sleep microstructure changes may represent evidence for altered electrophysiological mechanisms leading to sleep-wake instability in early disease stages.

Sleep and Respiration in 100 Healthy Caucasian Sleepers--A Polysomnographic Study According to American Academy of Sleep Medicine Standards.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Despite differences between American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Rechtschaffen and Kales scoring criteria, normative values following the current AASM criteria are lacking. We investigated sleep and respiratory variables in healthy adults over the lifespan, and established polysomnographic normative values according to current standards. DESIGN: Prospective polysomnographic investigation. SETTING: Academic referral hospital sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred healthy sleepers aged 19-77 y were selected from a representative population sample by a two-step screening. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: All subjects underwent one full-night polysomnography. Sleep and arousals were scored according to AASM standards. Respiration was scored according to AASM 2007 and 2012 criteria in order to compare both methods. Percentile curves showed age-related differences in sleep architecture: a decrease was found for sleep efficiency [≤ 30 y: 87.0 (71.9-94.1)% versus > 60 y: 79.7 (44.5-90.9)%], total sleep time [≤ 30 y: 413.5 (345.6-451.9) min versus > 60 y: 378.3 (216.0-440.0) min], the percentages of N3 [≤ 30 y 20.7 (15.2-37.5)% versus > 60 y: 14.9 (2.4-35.6)%] and rapid eye movement sleep [≤ 30 y 15.5 (7.5-23.6)% versus. > 60 y: 10.3 (1.9-21.9)%], whereas the percentage of wake time after sleep onset increased with age [≤ 30 y 6.0 (1.9-22.8)% versus > 60 y: 15.2 (6.3-48.7)%]. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was higher when applying the AASM 2012 criteria [AHI AASM 2007 0.7 (0.0-21.5)/h versus 2012: 1.7 (0.0-25)/h; P < 0.001]. Eight percent of subjects had an AHI > 15/h. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides normative data on sleep macrostructure, microstructure, and respiration in adults following AASM standards. Furthermore, we demonstrated that respiration scoring according to AASM 2012 results in higher AHIs, and challenge the use of age-independent respiratory cutoff values.

WHOQOL-OLD assessment of quality of life in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease: influence of sleep and depressive symptoms / Qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-OLD) em idosos com doença de Parkinson: influência de sintomas do sono e depressivos

OBJECTIVE: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with a number of motor and non-motor features that can affect quality of life. In this study, we aimed to assess quality of life, as well as to evaluate the potential determinants of quality of life, such as sleep quality, motor and depressive symptoms, in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study in which we applied the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults in 57 Parkinson's disease patients over 60 years of age. RESULTS: Total World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults score was found to be associated with Parkinson's disease severity (rs = -0.43; p < 0.001). World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults scores for sensory abilities (facet 1) and social participation (facet 4) were higher among the patients with mild Parkinson's disease than among those in the more advanced stages (rs = -0.43; p < 0.001). Facet 1 scores were found to be associated with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale score (rp = -0.46 and rp = 0.41; p < 0.001, respectively). The Geriatric Depression Scale score showed an association with the total score on the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (rp = -0.70; p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: Quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients can be assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults. Greater Parkinson's disease severity can worsen patient quality of life, as can the presence of depressive symptoms.

OBJETIVO: A doença de Parkinson é uma enfermidade neurodegenerativa com diversas manifestações motoras e não-motoras que podem provocar impacto na qualidade de vida. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida em pacientes com doença de Parkinson com idade superior a 60 anos por meio do questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults e possíveis fatores determinantes, tais como qualidade de sono, sintomas motores e depressivos. MÉTODO: Foi realizado estudo transversal avaliando a qualidade de vida pelo questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults em 57 pacientes com doença de Parkinson. RESULTADOS: World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults total apresentou associação com a severidade da doença de Parkinson (r s= -0,43; p < 0,001). As facetas de habilidade sensorial e de participação social apresentaram maior pontuação nos indivíduos com estágio leve em comparação ao grupo com doença de Parkinson avançada. World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (faceta-I) apresentou associação com Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburg e Escala de Sono na Doença de Parkinson (r p= -0,46 e r p = 0,41; p < 0,001, respectivamente). A Escala Geriátrica de Depressão apresentou associação com World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (r p = -0,70; p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A qualidade de vida em pacientes com doença de Parkinson pode ser avaliada pelo questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults e foi demonstrado que a severidade da doença de Parkinson e os sintomas depressivos podem comprometer negativamente a qualidade de vida.

WHOQOL-OLD assessment of quality of life in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease: influence of sleep and depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with a number of motor and non-motor features that can affect quality of life. In this study, we aimed to assess quality of life, as well as to evaluate the potential determinants of quality of life, such as sleep quality, motor and depressive symptoms, in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study in which we applied the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults in 57 Parkinson's disease patients over 60 years of age. RESULTS: Total World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults score was found to be associated with Parkinson's disease severity (rs = -0.43; p < 0.001). World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults scores for sensory abilities (facet 1) and social participation (facet 4) were higher among the patients with mild Parkinson's disease than among those in the more advanced stages (rs = -0.43; p < 0.001). Facet 1 scores were found to be associated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale score (rp = -0.46 and rp = 0.41; p < 0.001, respectively). The Geriatric Depression Scale score showed an association with the total score on the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults (rp = -0.70; p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: Quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients can be assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults. Greater Parkinson's disease severity can worsen patient quality of life, as can the presence of depressive symptoms.

Psychometric properties of the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale--Brazilian version.

Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) is a specific scale for the assessment of sleep disturbances in subjects with Parkinson's Disease (PD). This cross-sectional study set out to validate the PDSS in a Brazilian Portuguese Version (PDSS-BR). Ninety-five patients with PD participated in the study; their PD symptoms were evaluated by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS sections I-IV) and Hoehn and Yahr scale. Patients completed Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and PDSS-BR. PDSS-BR internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha: 0.82; all PDSS-BR items were significantly and positively associated with total score). Test-retest reliability for total PDSS-BR score was 0.94. PDSS-BR score was highly correlated with sleep PSQI scale (r(s) = -0.63; p < 0.0001) and moderately with ESS (r(s) = -0.32; p < 0.001) and UPDRS sections I (r(s) = -0.38; p < 0.0001) and II (r(s) = -0.36; p < 0.0001) and BDI (r(s) = -0.55; p < 0.0001). Depressive symptoms, as determined by the BDI, were associated with significantly worse quality of nocturnal sleep, as measured by the PDSS-BR. The psychometric attributes of the PDSS-BR were satisfactory and consistent with those of previous studies. In summary, PDSS-BR can be useful for clinical and research purposes in Brazil.