Sympathetic Activation and Sleep-Related Movements: Integrating Autonomic, Dopaminergic, and Iron Deficiency Mechanisms
BRAIN SCIENCES, cilt.16, sa.5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 16 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.3390/brainsci16050539
- Dergi Adı: BRAIN SCIENCES
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
Highlights What are the main findings? Sympathetic nervous system activation frequently precedes or accompanies sleep-related motor events, supporting a potential causal role rather than a purely reactive response. Iron deficiency and dopaminergic dysfunction interact with autonomic dysregulation, forming an integrated pathophysiological model for RLS, PLMD, and RSD. What are the implications of the main findings? Sleep-related movement disorders should be reconceptualized using a multidimensional framework that includes autonomic dysfunction alongside traditional dopaminergic and iron-based models. Targeting sympathetic activation (e.g., via CPAP optimization, pharmacologic modulation, and behavioral interventions) may improve both motor symptoms and overall sleep quality.Highlights What are the main findings? Sympathetic nervous system activation frequently precedes or accompanies sleep-related motor events, supporting a potential causal role rather than a purely reactive response. Iron deficiency and dopaminergic dysfunction interact with autonomic dysregulation, forming an integrated pathophysiological model for RLS, PLMD, and RSD. What are the implications of the main findings? Sleep-related movement disorders should be reconceptualized using a multidimensional framework that includes autonomic dysfunction alongside traditional dopaminergic and iron-based models. Targeting sympathetic activation (e.g., via CPAP optimization, pharmacologic modulation, and behavioral interventions) may improve both motor symptoms and overall sleep quality.Abstract Objective: Recent research has expanded the understanding of the potential role of sympathetic nervous system activation in the implications of sleep-related movement disorders, particularly in the mechanisms of dopaminergic dysfunction and iron deficiency. This multifactorial perspective aims to provide insights into disease mechanisms and opportunities for targeted interventions that address both neurological and autonomic contributors to sleep-related movements. Methods: To synthesize the current evidence on the role of sympathetic activation in sleep-related movement disorders, we conducted a review of the literature to identify studies exploring the intersection of autonomic nervous system activity and motor phenomena during sleep. Results: Studies indicate that sympathetic activation may contribute directly to the initiation and propagation of motor events during sleep. Evidence from electrophysiological studies and heart rate variability analyses in patients with sleep-related movement disorders shows that sympathetic bursts often precede or coincide with leg movements and arousals, suggesting a causal rather than reactive role. Moreover, iron deficiency appears to exacerbate both dopaminergic and autonomic dysfunction, providing a unifying mechanism that bridges these pathways. Conclusions: These findings support a shift from viewing sympathetic activity as a secondary response to arousal to recognizing it as a possible primary trigger of sleep-related motor events.