Open AccessPharmacologic Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome
Author(s) -
Qing Lv,
Xinlin Wang,
Tetsuya Asakawa,
Xiaoping Wang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
current neuropharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.955
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1875-6190
pISSN - 1570-159X
DOI - 10.2174/1570159x19666201230150127
Subject(s) - restless legs syndrome , dopaminergic , medicine , substantia nigra , neuroscience , disease , dopamine , parkinson's disease , dopaminergic pathways , bioinformatics , neurology , psychology , psychiatry , biology
: Restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease is a neurologic disorder characterizedby a strong desire to move when at rest (usually in the evening) and paraesthesia in their lowerlegs. The most widely used therapies for first-line treatment of RLS are dopaminergic drugs; however,their long-term use can lead to augmentation. α2δ Ligands, opioids, iron, glutamatergic drugs,adenosine, and sleep aids have been investigated as alternatives. The pathogenesis of RLS is notwell understood. Despite the efficacy of dopaminergic drugs in the treatment of this disorder, unlikein Parkinson’s disease dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra has not been observed in RLS.The etiology of RLS is likely complex, involving multiple neural pathways. RLS-related genesidentified in genome-wide association studies can provide insight into the mechanistic basis andpathophysiology of RLS. Here we review the current treatments and knowledge of the mechanismsunderlying RLS.