Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aetiology and Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

  • Disease Management
  • Published:
CNS Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder, characterised by an imperative desire to move the extremities often associated with paraesthesias, motor restlessness, worsening of symptoms at rest with at least temporary relief by activity, and worsening of symptoms in the evening or at night. The aetiology of RLS remains unknown. It has been divided into idiopathic and symptomatic (secondary) forms of RLS. Based on pharmacological, neurophysiological and imaging studies it is suggested that RLS is a disease of the subcortical CNS, with involvement of the brainstem and spinal cord.

Levodopa/decarboxylase inhibitors (carbidopa, benserazide) and dopamine agonists are regarded as the treatment of choice for RLS. The development of time shift and/or augmentation of symptoms is a major problem with dopaminergic treatment, mainly with levodopa. Alternative medications are opioids and benzodiazepines. In secondary RLS the primary illness should be treated first.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Walters AS, The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Towards a better definition of the restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1995; 10: 634–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Trenkwalder C, Hening WA, Walters AS, et al. Orcadian rhythm of periodic limb movements and sensory symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1999; 14: 102–10

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Montplaisir J, Boucher S, Poirier G, et al. Clinical, polysomnographic, and genetic characteristics of restless legs syndrome: a study of 133 patients diagnosed with new standard criteria. Mov Dis 1997; 12: 61–5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Strang RR. The symptom of restless legs. Med J Aust 1967; 1(24): 1211–3

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ekbom KA. Restless legs syndrome. Acta Med Scand 1945; 158 Suppl.: 4–122

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lavigne GJ, Montplaisir JY. Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism: prevalence and association among Canadians. Sleep 1994; 17: 739–43

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Rothdach A, Winkelmann J, Trenkwalder C, et al. Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in an elderly general population: the MEMO-study [abstract]. Neurology 1999; 52 Suppl. 2: A287–8

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ekbom KA. Restless legs syndrome. Neurology 1960; 10: 868–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Walters A, Hickey K, Maltzman J, et al. A questionnaire study of 138 patients with restless legs syndrome: the ‘Night-Walkers’ survey. Neurology 1996; 46: 92–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Winkelmann J, Wetter TC, Collado-Seidel V, et al. Characteristics of the hereditary restless legs syndrome in a population of 300 patients [abstract]. Neurology 1998; 50: A261

    Google Scholar 

  11. Boghen D, Peyronnard JM. Myoclonus in familial restless legs syndrome. Arch Neurol 1976; 33: 368–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Montplaisir J,GodboutR, Boghen D, et al. Familial restless legs with periodic movements in sleep: electrophysiologic, biochemical, and pharmacologic study. Neurology 1985; 35: 130–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lugaresi E, Cirignotta F, Coccagna G, et al. Nocturnal myoclonus and restless legs syndrome. Adv Neurol 1986; 43: 295–307

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Walters AS, Picchietti D, Hening W, et al. Variable expressivity in familial restless legs syndrome. Arch Neurol 1990; 47: 1219–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Trenkwalder C, Collado-Seidel V, Gasser T, et al. Clinical symptoms and possible anticipation in a large kindred of familial restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1996; 11: 389–94

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Winkelman JW, Chertow GM, Lazarus JM. Restless legs syndrome in end-stage renal disease. Am J Kidney Dis 1996; 28: 372–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Collado-Seidel V, Kohnen R, Samtleben W, et al. Clinical and biochemical findings in uraemic patients with and without restless legs syndrome. Am J Kidney Dis 1998; 31: 324–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Gorman CA, Dyck PJ, Pearson JS. Symptoms of restless legs. Arch Intern Med 1965; 115: 155–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Salvi F, Montagna P, Plasmati R, et al. Restless legs syndrome and nocturnal myoclonus: initial manifestation of familial amyloid polyneuropathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1990; 53: 522–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. LaBan MM, Viola SL, Femmineneo AF, et al. Restless legs syndrome associated with diminished cardiopulmonary compliance and lumbar spinal stenosis: a motor concomitant of ‘Vesper’s Curse’. Arch Phys Med Rehab 1990; 71: 384–8

    Google Scholar 

  21. Ekbom KA. Restless legs. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW, editors. Handbook of clinical neurology. Amsterdam/New York: North Holland Publishing Company, 1970: 311–20

    Google Scholar 

  22. Goodman JD, Brodie C, Ayida GA. Restless leg syndrome in pregnancy. BMJ 1988; 297: 1101–2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Nordlander NB. Therapy in restless legs. ActaMed Scand 1953; 145: 453–7

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. O’Keeffe ST, Gavin K, Lavan JN. Iron status and restless legs syndrome in the elderly. Age Ageing 1994; 23: 200–3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Schlienger JL. Syndrome des membres inférieures impatients d’une hypothyroidie modérée [letter; in French]. Presse Med 1985; 14(14): 791

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Roquer J, Goday A, Cano JF. Restless legs syndrome and hyperthyroidism [letter]. Med Clin 1992; 99: 715–6

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Reynolds G, Blake DR, Pall HS, et al. Restless leg syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. BMJ 1986; 292: 659–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Salih AM, Gray RE, Mills KR, et al. A clinical, serological and neurophysiological study of restless legs syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1994; 33: 60–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Botez MI, Lambert B. Folate deficiency and restless-legs syndrome in pregnancy [letter]. N Engl J Med 1977; 297(12): 670

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Hellmann S, Tschudy DP. Restless legs syndrome in acute intermittent porphyria. Ann Intern Med 1962; 56: 487–9

    Google Scholar 

  31. Heimann EM, Christie M. Lithium-aggravated nocturnal myoclonus andrestless legs syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143: 1191–2

    Google Scholar 

  32. Terao T, Terao M, Yoshimura R, et al. Restless legs syndrome induced by lithium. Biol Psychiatry 1991; 30: 1167–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Walters AS, Hening W, Rubinstein M, et al. Aclinical and polysomnographic comparison of neuroleptic-induced akathisia and the idiopathic restless legs syndrome. Sleep 1991; 14: 339–45

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Braude WM, Barnes TRE, Gore SM. Clinical characteristics of akathisia. A systematic investigation of acute psychiatric inpatient admissions. Br J Psychiatr 1983; 143: 139–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Iannaccone S, Zucconi M, Marchettini P, et al. Evidence of peripheral axonal neuropathy in primary restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1995; 10: 2–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Rutkove SB, Matheson JK, Logigian EL. Restless legs syndrome associated with peripheral neuropathy: clinical characteristics and response to treatment [abstract]. Neurology 1995; 45(4 Suppl.): A186

    Google Scholar 

  37. Montplaisir J, Lorrain D, Godbout R. Restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movements in sleep: the primary role of dopaminergic mechanism. Eur Neurol 1991; 31: 41–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Collado-Seidel V, Wetter TC, Oertel H, et al. Prolactin segregation in patients with restless legs syndrome [abstract]. Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 1998; 107: 65P

    Google Scholar 

  39. McMillen VA. On the mechanism of morphine action on rat striatal dopamine metabolism. Biochem Pharmacol 1980; 29: 1432–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Smith RC. The Babinski response and periodic limb movement disorder [letter; comment]. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1992; 4: 233–4

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Montplaisir J, Lapierre O, Lavigne G. The restless leg syndrome: a condition associated with periodic or aperiodic slowing of the EEG. Neurophysiol Clin 1994; 24: 131–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Coccagna G, Lugaresi E. Restless legs syndrome and nocturnal myoclonus. Int J Neurol 1981; 15: 77–87

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Walters AS, Hening W. Clinical presentation and neuropharmacology of restless legs syndrome. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987; 10: 225–37

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wechsler LR, Stakes JW, Shahani BT, et al. Periodic leg movements of sleep (nocturnal myoclonus): an electrophysiological study. Ann Neurol 1986; 19: 168–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Watanabe S, Ono A, Naito H. Periodic leg movements during either epidural or spinal anesthesia in an elderly man without sleep-related (nocturnal) myoclonus. Sleep 1990; 13: 262–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Trenkwalder C, Bucher SF, Oertel WH. Electrophysiological pattern of involuntary limb movements in the restless legs syndrome. Muscle Nerve 1996; 19: 155–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Yokota T, Hirose K, Tanabe H, et al. Sleep-related periodic leg movements (nocturnal myoclonus) due to spinal cord lesion. J Neurol Sci 1991; 104: 13–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. de Mello MT, Da Silva AC, Tufik S. Sleep study after acute physical activity in spinal cord injury [abstract]. Sleep Res 1995; 24: 391

    Google Scholar 

  49. Trenkwalder C, Bucher SF, Oertel WH, et al. Bereitschaftspotential in idiopathic and symptomatic restless legs syndrome. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1993; 89(2): 95–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Hening WA, Chokroverty S, Walters AS. Presence of a biphasic cortical potential before legjerks in the restless legs syndrome [abstract]. Sleep Res 1990; 19: 235

    Google Scholar 

  51. Hening WA, Chokroverty S, Walters AS. The cortical premovement potential of restless legs syndrome jerks: differences in potentials before simulated versus symptomatic jerks [abstract]. Sleep Res 1990; 20: 255

    Google Scholar 

  52. Bucher SF, Seelos KC, Oertel WH, et al. Cerebral generators involved in the pathogenesis of the restless legs syndrome. Ann Neurol 1997; 41: 639–45

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Trenkwalder C, Walters AS, Hening W, et al. Positron emission tomographic studies in the restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1999; 1: 141–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Turjanski N, Lees AJ, Brooks DJ, et al. Dopaminergic dysfunction in patients with restless legs: [18F]dopa and [11C]raclopride PET studies [abstract]. Neurology 1998; 50: A391

    Google Scholar 

  55. Staedt J, Stoppe G, Kogler A, et al. Dopamine D2 receptor alteration in patients with periodic movements in sleep (nocturnal myoclonus). J Neural Transm 1993; 93: 71–4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Guilleminault C, Cetel M, Philip P. Dopaminergic treatment of restless legs and rebound phenomenon [letter]. Neurology 1993; 43(2): 445

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Sandyk R, Bernick C, Lee SM, et al. L-dopa in uraemic patients with the restless legs syndrome. Int J Neurosci 1987; 35: 233–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Trenkwalder C, Schwarz J, Pollmaecher T, et al. Sustained release L-DOPA in patients with idiopathic and uraemic restless legs syndrome [abstract]. Neurology 1991; 41 Suppl.: 224

    Google Scholar 

  59. Allen RP, Earley CJ. Augmentation of the restless legs syndrome with carbidopa/levodopa. Sleep 1996; 19: 205–13

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Earley CJ, Allen R. Pergolide and carbidopa/levodopa treatment of the restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movements in sleep in aconsecutive series of patients. Sleep 1996; 19(10): 801–10

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Akpinar S. Restless legs syndrome treatment with dopaminergic drugs. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987; 10: 69–79

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Brodeur C, Montplaisir J, Godbout R, et al. Treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic movements during sleep with L-dopa: a double-blind, controlled study. Neurology 1988; 38: 1845–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Kaplan PW, Allen RP, Buchholz DW, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the treatment of periodic limb movements in sleep using carbidopa/levodopa and propoxyphene. Sleep 1993; 16: 717–23

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Trenkwalder C, Stiasny K, Pollmaecher T, et al. L-DOPA therapy of uraemic and idiopathic restless legs syndrome: a double-blind crossover trial. Sleep 1995; 18: 681–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Collado-Seidel V, Kazenwadel J, Wetter TC, et al. A controlled study of additional sr-L-dopa in L-dopa responsive restless legs syndrome with late night symptoms. Neurology 1999; 52: 285–90

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Becker PM, Jamieson AO, Brown WD. Dopaminergic agents in restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements of sleep: response and complications of extended treatment in 49 cases. Sleep 1993; 16: 713–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Walker SL, Fine A, Kryger MH. L-DOPA/carbidopa for nocturnal movement disorders in uremia. Sleep 1996; 19: 214–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Danek A, Trenkwalder C, Logigian E. Restless legs syndrome. In: Brandt T, Diener HC, Caplan LR, et al., editors. Neurological disorders: course and treatment. San Diego (CA): Academic Press, 1995: 819–23

    Google Scholar 

  69. vonScheele C, Kempi V. Long-term effect of dopaminergic drugs in restless legs. A two-year follow-up. Arch Neurol 1990; 47: 1223–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Zigmond MJ, Hastings TG, Abercrombie ED. Neurochemical responses to 6-hydroxydopamine and L-dopa therapy: implications for Parkinson’s disease. Ann NY Acad Sci 1992; 648: 71–86

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Blunt SB, Jenner P, Marsden CD. Suppressive effect of L-dopa on dopamine cells remaining in the ventral tegmental area of rats previously exposed to the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. Mov Disord 1993; 8: 129–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Fahn S. Is levodopa toxic? Neurology 1996; 47(3 Suppl.): S184–S95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Hefti F, Melamed E, Bahwan J, et al. Long-term administration of levodopa does not damage dopaminergic neurons in the mouse. Neurology 1981; 31: 1194–5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Reches A, Fahn S. Chronic dopa feeding of mice. Neurology 1982; 32: 684–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Perry TL, Yong VW, Ito M, et al. Nigrostriatal dopamine neurons remain undamaged in rats given high doses of L-dopa and carbidopa chronically. J Neurochem 1984; 43: 990–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Quinn N, Parkers D, Janota I, et al. Preservation of the substantia nigra and the locus coeruleus in a patient receiving levodopa (2 kg) plus decarboxylase inhibitor over a four year period. Mov Disord 1986; 1: 65–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Rajput AH, Fenton ME, Dhand A. Is levodopa toxic to non-degenerating substantia nigra cells? Clinical evidence [abstract]. Neurology 1996; 46: A371

    Google Scholar 

  78. Montplaisir J, Boucher S, Gosselin A, et al. The restless legs syndrome: evening vs. morning restlessness. Sleep Res 1995; 24: 302

    Google Scholar 

  79. Walters A, Hening W, Kavey N, et al. A double blind randomized cross-over trial of bromocriptine and placebo in the restless legs syndrome. Ann Neurol 1988; 24: 455–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Silber MH, Shepard JA, Wisbey JA. Pergolide in the management of restless legs syndrome: an extended study. Sleep 1997; 20: 878–82

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Staedt J, Wassmuth F, Ziemann U, et al. Pergolide: treatment of choice in restless legs syndrome (RLS) and nocturnal myoclonus syndrome (NMS). A double-blind randomized crossover trial of pergolide versus L-dopa. J Neural Transm 1997; 104: 461–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Winkelmann J, Wetter TC, Stiasny K, et al. Treatment of restless leg syndrome with pergolide: an open clinical trial. Mov Disord 1998; 13: 566–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Pieta J, Millar T, Zacharias J, et al. Effect of pergolide on restless legs syndrome and leg movements in sleep in uraemic patients. Sleep 1998; 21: 617–22

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Early CJ, Yaffee JB, Allen RP. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pergolide in restless legs syndrome. Neurology 1998; 51: 1599–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Wetter TC, Stiasny K, Winkelmann J, et al. A randomized controlled study of pergolide in patients with restless legs syndrome. Neurology 1999; 52: 944–50

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Montplaisir J, Nicolas A, Denesle R, et al. Restless legs syndrome improved by pramipexole: a double-blind randomized trial. Neurology 1999; 52: 938–43

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Lin SC, Kaplan J, Burger CD, et al. Effect of pramipexole in the treatment of resistant restless legs syndrome. Mayo Clin Proc 1998; 73: 497–500

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Becker PM, Ondo W, Sharon D. Encouraging initial response of restless legs syndrome to pramipexole. Neurology 1998; 51: 1221–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Stiasny K, Roebbecke J, Schiller P, et al. Treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) with cabergoline [abstract]. J Neurol 1998; 245: 405

    Google Scholar 

  90. Oechsner M. Idiopathic restless legs syndrome: combination therapy with levodopa and ropinirole [in German]. Akt Neurol 1998; 25: 190–2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. Ondo W. Ropinirole for restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1999; 14: 138–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Willis T. De Animae Brutorum. London: Wells and Scott, 1672

    Google Scholar 

  93. Willis T. Two discourses concerning the soul of brutes. London: Dring, Harper, and Leigh, 1683

    Google Scholar 

  94. Sandyk R, Bamford CR, Gillman MA. Opiates in the restless legs syndrome. Int JNeurosci 1987; 36: 99–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Trzepacz PT, Violette EJ, Sateia MJ. Response to opioids in three patients with restless legs syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 1984; 141: 993–5

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Walters AS, Hening W, Côte L, et al. Dominantly inherited restless legs with myoclonus and periodic movements of sleep: a syndrome related to the endogenous opiates? Adv Neurol 1986; 43: 309–19

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Hening WA, Walters AS. Successful long-term therapy of the restless legs syndrome with opioid medications [abstract]. Sleep Res 1989; 18: 241

    Google Scholar 

  98. Walters AS, Wagner ML, Hening WA, et al. Successful treatment of the idiopathic restless legs syndrome in a randomized double-blind trial of oxycodone versus placebo. Sleep 1993; 16: 327–32

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Walters AS. Periodic limb movements. In: Aldrich MS, editor. Sleep disorders: Neurobase (a computerized program in neurology). La Jolla (CA): Arbor Publishing, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  100. Vahedi H, Küchle M, Trenkwalder C, et al. Peridurale morphiumanwendung bei restless-legs-status. Anästhesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther 1994; 29: 368–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Matthews WB. Treatment of restless legs syndrome with clonazepam [letter]. BMJ 1979; 1(6165): 751

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Boghen D, Lamothe L, Elie R, et al. The treatment of the restless legs syndrome with clonazepam: a prospective controlled study. Can J Neurol Sci 1986; 13: 245–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Montagna P, Coccagna G, Cirignotta F, et al. Familial restless legs syndrome: long-term follow-up. In: Guilleminault C, Lugaresi E, eds. Sleep/wake disorders: natural history, epidemiology, and long-term evolution. New York (NY): Raven Press, 1983: 231–5

    Google Scholar 

  104. Horiguchi J, Inami Y, Sasaki A, et al. Periodic leg movements in sleep with restless legs syndrome: effect of clonazepam treatment. Jpn J Psychiatry Neurol 1992; 46: 727–32

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Peled R, Lavie P. Double-blind evaluation of clonazepam on periodic leg movements in sleep. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1987; 50: 1679–81

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Bonnet MH, Arand DL. Chronic use of triazolam in patients with periodic leg movements, fragmented sleep and daytime sleepiness. Aging 1991; 3: 313–24

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Read D, Feest T, Nassim M. Clonazepam: effective treatment for restless legs syndrome in uremia. BMJ 1981; 283: 885–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Hening WA. Treatment of the restless legs syndrome: current practice of sleep experts [abstract]. Neurology 1995; 45 Suppl. 4: 445S

    Google Scholar 

  109. Mellick GA, Mellick LB. Management of restless legs syndrome with gabapentin (Neurontin®). Sleep 1996; 19: 224–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Adler CH. Treatment of restless legs syndrome with gabapentin. Clin Neuropharmacol 1997; 20: 148–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Ehrenberg BL, Wagner AK, Corbett K, et al. Double-blind trial of gabapentin for periodic limb movements disorder of sleep: preliminary results [abstract]. Neurology 1998; 50: A276

    Google Scholar 

  112. Lundvall O, Abom PE, Holm R. Carbamazepine in restless legs: a controlled pilot study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1983; 25: 323–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Telstad W, Sorensen O, Larsen S, et al. Treatment of the restless legs syndrome with carbamazepine: a double blind study. BMJ 1984; 288: 444–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Zucconi M, Coccagna G, Petronelli R, et al. Nocturnal myoclonus in restless legs syndrome: effect of carbamazepine treatment. Funct Neurol 1989; 4: 263–71

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Ausserwinkler M, Schmidt P. Erfolgreiche Behandlung des ‘restless legs’ Syndroms bei chronischer Niereninsuffizienz mit Clonidin. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1989; 119: 184–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Handwerker J Jr, Palmer RF. Clonidine in the treatment of ‘restless leg’ syndrome [letter]. N Engl J Med 1985; 313: 1228–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Wagner ML, Walters AS, Coleman R, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study of clonidine in restless legs syndrome. Sleep 1996; 19: 52–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Bamford CR, Sandyk R. Failure of clonidine to ameliorate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome [letter]. Sleep 1987; 10: 398–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Guilleminault C, Flagg W. Effect of baclofen on sleep-related periodic leg movements. Ann Neurol 1984; 15: 234–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Sandyk R, Kwo-on-Yuen PF, Bamford CR. The effects of baclofen in the restless legs syndrome: evidence for endogenous opioid involvement [letter]. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1988; 8: 440–1

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. Guilleminault C, Mondini S, Montplaisir J, et al. Periodic leg movement, L-dopa, 5-hydroxytryptophan, and L-tryptophan. Sleep 1987; 10: 393–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. Sandyk R. L-Tryptophan in the treatment of restless legs syndrome [letter]. Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143: 554–5

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Dichgans M, Walther E, Collado-Seidel V, et al. Autosomal dominant restless legs syndrome: genetic model and evaluation of 22 candidate genes [abstract]. Mov Disord 1996; 11(1 Suppl.): 87

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 10, D-80804, Munich, Germany

    Victor Collado-Seidel, Juliane Winkelmann &  Claudia Trenkwalder MD

Authors
  1. Victor Collado-Seidel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Juliane Winkelmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Claudia Trenkwalder MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudia Trenkwalder MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Collado-Seidel, V., Winkelmann, J. & Trenkwalder, C. Aetiology and Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. CNS Drugs 12, 9–20 (1999). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-199912010-00002

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-199912010-00002

Keywords

Search

Navigation