Pathophysiology of the Restless Legs Syndrome: Dopamine and Iron

Yun, Chang Ho

doi:2006.3.1.22

J Korean Sleep Res Soc > Volume 3(1); 2006 > Article

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J Korean Sleep Res Soc. 2006;3(1):22-28. doi: https://doi.org/10.13078/jksrs.06004

하지불안증후군의 병태생리: 도파민과 철

윤창호

인하대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Pathophysiology of the Restless Legs Syndrome: Dopamine and Iron

Chang Ho Yun

Departmentof Neurology, College of Medicine, Inha University

Corresponding Author: Chang Ho Yun ,Tel: +82-32-890-3418, Fax: +82-32-890-3864, Email: ych333@chol.com, ych333@inha.ac.kr

Received: June 5, 2006 Accepted: June 16, 2006 Published online: June 30, 2006

ABSTRACT

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder characterizedby an irresistible urge to move the legs with or without accompanying sensory discomfort that worsens with inactivity, especially during night and temporarily improves with activity. RLS encompasses an idiopathic form of genetic or unknown origin and symptomatic forms secondary to other medical conditions. Symptomatic forms are associated with iron deficiency, uremia, pregnancy, polyneuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and so on. CNS dopaminergic systems are strongly implicated in RLS that are closely linked to CNS iron homeostasis. Evidences showing the efficacy of dopaminergic drugs, the augmented circadian dopaminergic variation, and the CNS iron dysregulation support this hypothesis. Iron deficiency, uremia, and pregnancy precipitate the disturbances in CNS iron metabolism. Iron dysregulation is also documented in idiopathic form. Besides defective dopaminergic system that is closely related with iron metabolism, genetic factors play a role in early-onset individualwith a positive family history.

Keywords: Restless legs syndrome | Dopamine | Iron