Sleep Disorder : Restless Legs Syndrome - Research

Current Research developments - Restless Legs Syndrome

Dopamine - a chemical messenger maybe implicated in manifestations of Restless Leg Syndrome and the current research is studying this aspect in detail.

The goal of ongoing research is to increase scientific understanding of RLS, find improved methods of diagnosing and treating the syndrome, and discover ways to prevent it.

Researchers are investigating the possible role of dopamine function in RLS. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals between one area of the brain called the Substantia nigra, and the next relay station of the brain called the Corpus striatum, to produce smooth, purposeful muscle activity. Researchers suspect that impaired transmission of dopamine signals may play a role in RLS.

Additional research is being done to define genetic and non-genetic forms of RLS.

References - Restless Legs Syndrome

1. Ekbom, K.-A. Restless legs: a clinical study. Acta Med. Scand. (Suppl.) 158: 1-123, 1945.
2. Restless legs syndrome - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome)
3. About Restless legs syndrome - (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/restless-legs-syndrome/DS00191)