Correlation of Diffusion Tensor Tractography with Restless Legs Syndrome Severity

Abstract

This prospective study investigated white matter tracts associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) severity in 69 patients with primary RLS using correlational tractography based on diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and quantitative anisotropy (QA) were analyzed separately to understand white matter abnormalities in RLS patients. Connectometry analysis revealed positive correlations between RLS severity and FA values in various white matter tracts, including the left and right cerebellum, corpus callosum forceps minor and major, corpus callosum body, right cingulum, and frontoparietal tract. In addition, connectometry analysis revealed that the FA of the middle cerebellar peduncle, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, left corticospinal tract, corpus callosum forceps minor, right cerebellum, left frontal aslant tract, left dentatorubrothalamic tract, right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, left corticostriatal tract superior, and left cingulum parahippocampoparietal tract was negatively correlated with RLS severity in patients with RLS. However, there were no significant correlations between QA values and RLS severity. It is implied that RLS symptoms may be potentially reversible with appropriate treatment. This study highlights the importance of considering white matter alterations in understanding the pathophysiology of RLS and in developing effective treatment strategies.