[Treatment of the neurological sleep disorders restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy].

Pharmacological therapies are presented for two typical neurological sleep-wake disorders, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and narcolepsy. The individual discomfort caused by RLS and the accompanying problems with initiating and maintaining sleep often require a therapy with L-dopa and dopamine agonists. Positive treatment effects on sensory and motor symptoms have been shown in open trials and controlled studies. Development of time shift and/or augmentation of symptoms is a problem of L-dopa therapy. Further efficient drugs are opioids and benzodiazepines. The therapy of narcolepsy depends on its severity and the pattern of the symptoms. Excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks are the most impairing symptoms, which are difficult to treat. These symptoms require an optimal combination of CNS stimulants with regular napping. Cataplexy and other REM sleep associated symptoms are effectively treated with REM sleep suppressing antidepressants.