Restless legs syndrome (RLS), (also known as Willis–Ekbom disease(WED), is a neurological disorder, usually chronic, that causes an overwhelming urge to move one's legs.[2][10] There is often an unpleasant feeling in the legs that improves temporarily by moving them.[2] This feeling is often described as aching, tingling, or crawling in nature.[2] Occasionally, arms may also be affected.[2] The feelings generally happen when at rest and therefore can make it hard to sleep.[2]Sleep disruption may leave people with RLS sleepy during the day, with low energy, and irritable or depressed.[2] Additionally, many have limb twitching during sleep, a condition known as periodic limb movement disorder.[11] RLS is not the same as habitual foot-tapping or leg-rocking.[12]
RLS may either be of early onset, occurring before age 45, or of late onset, occurring after age 45. Early-onset cases tend to progress more slowly and involve fewer comorbidities, while cases in older patients may progress suddenly and alongside other conditions.[14]
RLS may resolve if the underlying problem is addressed.[15] Otherwise treatment includes lifestyle changes and medication.[2] Lifestyle changes that may help include stopping alcohol and tobacco use, and sleep hygiene.[15] Medications used to treat RLS include dopamine agonists like pramipexole and gabapentinoids (α2δ ligands) like gabapentin.[4][7][16] RLS affects an estimated 2.5–15% of the American population.[4] Females are more commonly affected than males, and RLS becomes increasingly common with age.[3][1]
History
Sir Thomas Willis provided a medical description in 1672.[17] Willis emphasized the sleep disruption and limb movements experienced by people with RLS.
Subsequently, other descriptions of RLS were published, including by Theodor Wittmaack [de] (1861) (in relation to whom it is sometimes known as Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome).[18]
In 1945, Karl-Axel Ekbom (1907–1977) provided a detailed and comprehensive report of this condition in his doctoral thesis, restless legs: clinical study of hitherto overlooked disease.[19] Ekbom coined the term "restless legs".
Ekbom's work was largely ignored until it was rediscovered by Arthur S. Walters and Wayne A. Hening in the 1980s. Subsequent landmark publications include 1995 and 2003 papers, which revised and updated the diagnostic criteria.[20][21]
Signs and symptoms
RLS sensations range from pain or an aching in the muscles, to "an itch you can't scratch", a "buzzing sensation", an unpleasant "tickle that won't stop", a "crawling" feeling, or limbs jerking while awake. The sensations typically begin or intensify during quiet wakefulness, such as when relaxing, reading, studying, or trying to sleep.[20]
It is a "spectrum disorder" with some people experiencing only a minor annoyance and others having major disruption of sleep and impairments in quality of life.[22]
The sensations—and the need to move—may return immediately after ceasing movement or at a later time. RLS may start at any age, including childhood, and is a progressive disease for some, while the symptoms may remit in others.[23] In a survey among members of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, it was found that up to 45% of patients had their first symptoms before the age of 20 years.[24]
"An urge to move, usually due to uncomfortable sensations that occur primarily in the legs, but occasionally in the arms or elsewhere." The sensations are unusual and unlike other common sensations. Those with RLS have a hard time describing them, using words or phrases such as uncomfortable, painful, 'antsy', electrical, creeping, itching, pins and needles, pulling, crawling, buzzing, and numbness. It is sometimes described similar to a limb 'falling asleep' or an exaggerated sense of positional awareness of the affected area. The sensation and the urge can occur in any body part; the most cited location is legs, followed by arms. Some people have little or no sensation, yet still, have a strong urge to move.
"Motor restlessness, expressed as activity, which relieves the urge to move." Movement usually brings immediate relief, although temporary and partial. Walking is most common; however, stretching, yoga, biking, or other physical activity may relieve the symptoms. Continuous, fast up-and-down movements of the leg, and/or rapidly moving the legs toward then away from each other, may keep sensations at bay without having to walk. Specific movements may be unique to each person.
"Worsening of symptoms by relaxation." Sitting or lying down (reading, plane ride, watching TV) can trigger the sensations and urge to move. Severity depends on the severity of the person's RLS, the degree of restfulness, duration of the inactivity, etc.
"Variability over the course of the day-night cycle, with symptoms worse in the evening and early in the night." Some experience RLS only at bedtime, while others experience it throughout the day and night. Most people experience the worst symptoms in the evening and the least in the morning.
"Restless legs feel similar to the urge to yawn, situated in the legs or arms." These symptoms of RLS can make sleeping difficult for many patients and a 2005 National Sleep Foundation poll[25] shows the presence of significant daytime difficulties resulting from this condition. These problems range from being late for work to missing work or events because of drowsiness. Patients with RLS who responded reported driving while drowsy more than patients without RLS. These daytime difficulties can translate into safety, social and economic issues for the patient and for society.
RLS may contribute to higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders in RLS patients.[26]
Primary and secondary forms
RLS is categorized as either primary or secondary.
Primary RLS is considered idiopathic or with no known cause. Primary RLS usually begins slowly, before approximately 40–45 years of age and may disappear for months or even years. It is often progressive and gets worse with age.[27] RLS in children is often misdiagnosed as growing pains.
Secondary RLS often has a sudden onset after age 40, and may be daily from the beginning. It is most associated with specific medical conditions or the use of certain drugs (see below).
An association has been observed between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and RLS or periodic limb movement disorder.[31] Both conditions appear to have links to dysfunctions related to the neurotransmitterdopamine, and common medications for both conditions among other systems, affect dopamine levels in the brain.[32] A 2005 study suggested that up to 44% of people with ADHD had comorbid (i.e. coexisting) RLS, and up to 26% of people with RLS had confirmed ADHD or symptoms of the condition.[33]
Medications
Certain medications may cause or worsen RLS, or cause it secondarily, including:[1]
Both primary and secondary RLS can be worsened by surgery of any kind; however, back surgery or injury can be associated with causing RLS.[37]
The cause vs. effect of certain conditions and behaviors observed in some patients (ex. excess weight, lack of exercise, depression or other mental illnesses) is not well established. Loss of sleep due to RLS could cause the conditions, or medication used to treat a condition could cause RLS.[38][39]
Research and brain autopsies have implicated both dopaminergic system and iron insufficiency in the substantia nigra.[41] Iron is well understood to be an essential cofactor for the formation of L-dopa, the precursor of dopamine.
Six genetic loci found by linkage are known and listed below. Other than the first one, all of the linkage loci were discovered using an autosomal dominant model of inheritance.
The second RLS locus maps to chromosome 14q and was discovered in one Italian family.[45] Evidence for this locus was found in one French Canadian family.[46] Also, an association study in a large sample 159 trios of European descent showed some evidence for this locus.[47]
This locus maps to chromosome 9p and was discovered in two unrelated American families.[48] Evidence for this locus was also found by the TDT in a large Bavarian family,[49] in which significant linkage to this locus was found.[50]
This locus maps to chromosome 20p and was discovered in a large French Canadian family with RLS.[51]
This locus maps to chromosome 2p and was found in three related families from population isolated in South Tyrol.[52]
The sixth locus is located on chromosome 16p12.1 and was discovered by Levchenko et al. in 2008.[53]
Three genes, MEIS1, BTBD9 and MAP2K5, were found to be associated to RLS.[54]
Their role in RLS pathogenesis is still unclear. More recently, a fourth gene, PTPRD was found to be associated with RLS.[55]
There is also some evidence that periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are associated with BTBD9 on chromosome 6p21.2,[56][57] MEIS1, MAP2K5/SKOR1, and PTPRD.[57] The presence of a positive family history suggests that there may be a genetic involvement in the etiology of RLS.
Mechanism
Although it is only partly understood, pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome may involve dopamine and iron system anomalies.[58][59] There is also a commonly acknowledged circadian rhythm explanatory mechanism associated with it, clinically shown simply by biomarkers of circadian rhythm, such as body temperature.[60] The interactions between impaired neuronal iron uptake and the functions of the neuromelanin-containing and dopamine-producing cells have roles in RLS development, indicating that iron deficiency might affect the brain dopaminergic transmissions in different ways.[61]
There are no specific tests for RLS, but non-specific laboratory tests are used to rule out other causes such as vitamin deficiencies. Five symptoms are used to confirm the diagnosis:[1]
A strong urge to move the limbs, usually associated with unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations.
It starts or worsens during inactivity or rest.
It improves or disappears (at least temporarily) with activity.
It worsens in the evening or night.
These symptoms are not caused by any medical or behavioral condition.
The symptoms below are not essential, like the ones above, but occur commonly in RLS patients:[1][65]
genetic component or family history with RLS
good response to dopaminergic therapy
periodic leg movements during day or sleep
most strongly affected are people who are middle-aged or older
other sleep disturbances are experienced
decreased iron stores can be a risk factor and should be assessed
According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3), the main symptoms have to be associated with a sleep disturbance or impairment in order to support RLS diagnosis.[66] As stated by this classification, RLS symptoms should begin or worsen when being inactive, be relieved when moving, should happen exclusively or mostly in the evening and at night, not be triggered by other medical or behavioral conditions, and should impair one's quality of life.[66][67] Generally, both legs are affected, but in some cases there is an asymmetry.
Differential diagnosis
The most common conditions that should be differentiated with RLS include leg cramps, positional discomfort, local leg injury, arthritis, leg edema, venous stasis, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, habitual foot tapping/leg rocking, anxiety, myalgia, and drug-induced akathisia.[12]
If RLS is not linked to an underlying cause, its frequency may be reduced by lifestyle modifications such as adopting improving sleep hygiene, regular exercise, and stopping smoking.[68] Medications used may include dopamine agonists and gabapentinoids in those with daily restless legs syndrome.[1][36][7][8] In severe or refractory cases, opioids have been used.[69]
Treatment of RLS should not be considered until possible medical causes are ruled out. Secondary RLS may be cured if precipitating medical conditions (anemia) are managed effectively.[1]
Physical measures
Stretching the leg muscles can bring temporary relief.[20][70] Walking and moving the legs, as the name "restless legs" implies, brings temporary relief. In fact, those with RLS often have an almost uncontrollable need to walk and therefore relieve the symptoms while they are moving. Unfortunately, the symptoms usually return immediately after the moving and walking ceases.
Counter-stimulation from massage, a hot or cold compress, or a vibratory counter-stimulation device has been found to help some people with primary RLS to improve their sleep.[71][72]
Iron
There is some evidence that intravenous iron supplementation moderately improves restlessness for people with RLS.[73]
Medications
For those whose RLS disrupts or prevents sleep or regular daily activities, medication may be useful. Evidence supports the use of dopamine agonists including pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine, cabergoline, and pergolide.[7][74][75] They reduce symptoms, improve sleep quality and quality of life.[76]Levodopa is also effective.[77] However, pergolide and cabergoline are less recommended due to their association with increased risk of valvular heart disease.[78] Ropinirole has a faster onset with shorter duration.[79] Rotigotine is commonly used as a transdermal patch which continuously provides stable plasma drug concentrations, resulting in its particular therapeutic effect on patients with symptoms throughout the day.[79] A 2008 meta-analysis[needs update] found pramipexole to be better than ropinirole.[80]
There are, however, issues with the use of dopamine agonists including augmentation. This is a medical condition where the drug itself causes symptoms to increase in severity and/or occur earlier in the day. Dopamine agonists may also cause rebound when symptoms increase as the drug wears off. In many cases, the longer dopamine agonists have been used, the higher the risk of augmentation and rebound as well as the severity of the symptoms. Patients may also develop dopamine dysregulation syndrome, meaning that they can experience an addictive pattern of dopamine replacement therapy. A 2007 study indicated that dopamine agonists used in restless legs syndrome can lead to an increase in compulsive gambling.[81] Patients may also exhibit other impulse-control disorders such as compulsive shopping and compulsive eating.[82] There are some indications that stopping the dopamine agonist treatment has an impact on the resolution or at least improvement of the impulse-control disorder, even though some people can be particularly exposed to dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome.[82]
Gabapentinoids (α2δ ligands), including gabapentin, pregabalin, and gabapentin enacarbil, are also widely used in the treatment of RLS.[7][83] They are used as first-line treatments similarly to dopamine agonists, and as of 2019, guidelines have started to recommend gabapentinoids over dopamine agonists as initial therapy for RLS due to higher known risks of symptom augmentation with long-term dopamine agonist therapy.[84] Gabapentin enacarbil is approved by regulatory authorities for the treatment of RLS, whereas gabapentin and pregabalin are used off-label.[7] Data on gabapentinoids in the treatment of RLS are more limited compared to dopamine agonists.[85] However, based on available evidence, gabapentinoids are similarly effective to dopamine agonists in the treatment of RLS.[84][86][83]
Both the 2021 algorithm for the treatment of RLS published by members of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the RLS Foundation in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings,[26] and the 2024 American Academy of Sleep Medicine Practice Guidelines[31] recommend the use of low-dose opioids for the treatment of refractory RLS, with the caveat that, although opioids are highly effective, “reasonable precautions should be taken in light of the opioid epidemic.[23]" Among the opioids and their suggested doses are tramadol, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone (all of which are schedule II), and buprenorphine (a schedule III partial opioid-receptor agonist with a lower risk of causing respiratory depression or dependence, compared with the full-agonist opioids.[33][35] The only data publicly available on the use of buprenorphine in the treatment of RLS are two posters presented at the 2019 and 2023 Associated Professional Sleep Society’s meetings. In the first, Forbes et al[32] presented preliminary open-label data from five men and two women, with an average age of 68 years, who had experienced RLS symptoms for a mean of 30+ years and been treated for 10+ years using a mean of nine drugs. Severity of both RLS and insomnia decreased significantly according to the IRLSSG Rating Scale scores and Insomnia Severity Index (31.1 ± 6.7 at baseline to 4 ± 8 and 19.8 ± 6.1 to 1.3 ± 1.9, respectively). In the second study, Berkowsi[38] and colleagues presented data from a retrospective study of 55 patients who had been started on buprenorphine for the treatment of severe RLS. Mean IRLSSG severity scores decreased from 27.8 at baseline to 11.4 at 1 year and allowed most of those patients on dopamine receptor agonists who had developed augmentation to discontinue the dopamine receptor agonists.
Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or clonazepam, are not generally recommended,[87] and their effectiveness is unknown or contradictory.[88][85] They, however, are sometimes still used as a second-line treatment,[89] as add-on agents.[88] Other treatments have also been explored, such as valproate, carbamazepine, perampanel, and dipyridamole, but are either not effective or have insufficient data to support their use.[85]
Placebo
Placebos provide a large benefit in terms of reduction of RLS symptoms.[90] This is thought to be due to positive expectancy effects and conditioning, which activate dopamine and opioid pathways in the brain.[90] Both dopamine agonists and opioids are used in and effective for the treatment of RLS, which is thought to be related to the effectiveness of placebos for the condition.[90] More than half of the benefit of RLS medications such as pramipexole and gabapentin enacarbil appears to be due to the placebo component based on clinical trial data.[91][92]
Prognosis
RLS symptoms may gradually worsen with age, although more slowly for those with the idiopathic form of RLS than for people who also have an associated medical condition.[93] Current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep. In addition, some people have remissions, periods in which symptoms decrease or disappear for days, weeks, or months, although symptoms usually eventually reappear.[93] Being diagnosed with RLS does not indicate or foreshadow another neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease.[93] RLS symptoms can worsen over time when dopamine-related drugs are used for therapy, an effect called augmentation which may represent symptoms occurring throughout the day and affect movements of all limbs.[93] There is no cure for RLS.[93]
Epidemiology
RLS affects an estimated 2.5–15% of the American population.[4][94] A minority (around 2.7% of the population) experience daily or severe symptoms.[95] RLS is twice as common in women as in men,[96] and Caucasians are more prone to RLS than people of African descent.[94] RLS occurs in 3% of individuals from the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern regions, and in 1–5% of those from East Asia, indicating that different genetic or environmental factors, including diet, may play a role in the prevalence of this syndrome.[94][97] RLS diagnosed at an older age runs a more severe course.[70] RLS is even more common in individuals with iron deficiency, pregnancy, or end-stage kidney disease.[98][99] The National Sleep Foundation's 1998 Sleep in America poll showed that up to 25 percent of pregnant women developed RLS during the third trimester.[100] Poor general health is also linked.[101]
There are several risk factors for RLS, including old age, family history, and uremia. The prevalence of RLS tends to increase with age, as well as its severity and longer duration of symptoms. People with uremia receiving renal dialysis have a prevalence from 20% to 57%, while those having kidney transplant improve compared to those treated with dialysis.[102]
In 2013, the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation renamed itself the Willis–Ekbom Disease Foundation; however, it reverted to its original name in 2015 “to better support its mission”.[104]
A point of confusion is that RLS and delusional parasitosis are entirely different conditions that have both been called "Ekbom syndrome", as both syndromes were described by the same person, Karl-Axel Ekbom.[105] Today, calling WED/RLS "Ekbom syndrome" is outdated usage, as the unambiguous names (WED or RLS) are preferred for clarity.
Controversy
Some doctors express the view that the incidence of restless legs syndrome is exaggerated by manufacturers of drugs used to treat it.[106] Others believe it is an underrecognized and undertreated disorder.[94] Further, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) ran advertisements that, while not promoting off-licence use of their drug (ropinirole) for treatment of RLS, did link to the Ekbom Support Group website. That website contained statements advocating the use of ropinirole to treat RLS. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) ruled against GSK in this case.[107]
Research
Different measurements have been used to evaluate treatments in RLS. Most of them are based on subjective rating scores, such as IRLS rating scale (IRLS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Patient Global Impression (PGI), and Quality of life (QoL).[108] These questionnaires provide information about the severity and progress of the disease, as well as the person's quality of life and sleep.[108]Polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphy (both related to sleep parameters) are more objective resources that provide evidences of sleep disturbances associated with RLS symptoms.[108]
^ abcAllen, R; Picchietti, D; Hening, WA; Trenkwalder, C; Walters, AS; Montplaisi, J; Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosis Epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health; International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (2003). "Restless legs syndrome: diagnostic criteria, special considerations, and epidemiology A report from the restless legs syndrome diagnosis and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health". Sleep Medicine. 4 (2): 101–19. doi:10.1016/S1389-9457(03)00010-8. PMID14592341.
^Walters, Arthur S.; Aldrich, Michael S.; Allen, Richard; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Buchholz, David; Chokroverty, Sudhansu; Coccagna, Giorgio; Earley, Christopher; Ehrenberg, Bruce; Feest, T. G.; Hening, Wayne; Kavey, Neil; Lavigne, Gilles; Lipinski, Joseph; Lugaresi, Elio; Montagna, Pasquale; Montplaisir, Jacques; Mosko, Sarah S.; Oertel, Wolfgang; Picchietti, Daniel; Pollmächer, Thomas; Shafor, Renata; Smith, Robert C.; Telstad, Wenche; Trenkwalder, Claudia; Von Scheele, Christian; Walters, Arthur S.; Ware, J. Catesby; Zucconi, Marco (1995). "Toward a better definition of the restless legs syndrome". Movement Disorders. 10 (5): 634–42. doi:10.1002/mds.870100517. PMID8552117. S2CID22970514.
^Earley, Christopher J.; Silber, Michael H. (2010). "Restless legs syndrome: Understanding its consequences and the need for better treatment". Sleep Medicine. 11 (9): 807–15. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2010.07.007. PMID20817595.
^Walters, A. S.; Hickey, K.; Maltzman, J.; Verrico, T.; Joseph, D.; Hening, W.; Wilson, V.; Chokroverty, S. (1996). "A questionnaire study of 138 patients with restless legs syndrome: The 'Night-Walkers' survey". Neurology. 46 (1): 92–5. doi:10.1212/WNL.46.1.92. PMID8559428. S2CID25278952.
^Phillips, B.; Hening, W.; Britz, P. (2006). "Prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome: results from the 2005 National Sleep Foundation Poll". Chest. 129 (1): 76–80. doi:10.1378/chest.129.1.76. PMID16424415.
^ abCortese, S; Konofal, E; Lecendreux, M; Arnulf, I; Mouren, MC; Darra, F; Dalla Bernardina, B (2005). "Restless legs syndrome and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of the literature". Sleep. 28 (8): 1007–13. doi:10.1093/sleep/28.8.1007. PMID16218085.
^ abNeiman, J.; Lang, A. E.; Fornazzari, L.; Carlen, P. L. (May 1990). "Movement disorders in alcoholism: A review". Neurology. 40 (5): 741–746. doi:10.1212/wnl.40.5.741. PMID2098000. S2CID8940680.
^ abTrenkwalder, Claudia; Zieglgänsberger, Walter; Ahmedzai, Sam H.; Högl, Birgit (March 2017). "Pain, opioids, and sleep: implications for restless legs syndrome treatment". Sleep Medicine. 31: 78–85. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.09.017. PMID27964861.
^Crotti, Francesco Maria; Carai, A.; Carai, M.; Sgaramella, E.; Sias, W. (2005). "Entrapment of crural branches of the common peroneal nerve". Advanced Peripheral Nerve Surgery and Minimal Invasive Spinal Surgery. Acta Neurochirurgica. Vol. 97. pp. 69–70. doi:10.1007/3-211-27458-8_15. ISBN978-3-211-23368-9. PMID15830971.
^Lavigne, GJ; Montplaisir, JY (1994). "Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism: prevalence and association among Canadians". Sleep. 17 (8): 739–43. PMID7701186.
^Desautels, A.; Turecki, G; Montplaisir, J; Xiong, L; Walters, AS; Ehrenberg, BL; Brisebois, K; Desautels, AK; Gingras, Y; Johnson, WG; Lugaresi, E; Coccagna, G; Picchietti, DL; Lazzarini, A; Rouleau, GA (2005). "Restless Legs Syndrome: Confirmation of Linkage to Chromosome 12q, Genetic Heterogeneity, and Evidence of Complexity". Archives of Neurology. 62 (4): 591–6. doi:10.1001/archneur.62.4.591. PMID15824258.
^Winkelmann, Juliane; Lichtner, Peter; Pütz, Benno; Trenkwalder, Claudia; Hauk, Stephanie; Meitinger, Thomas; Strom, Tim; Muller-Myhsok, Bertram (2006). "Evidence for further genetic locus heterogeneity and confirmation of RLS-1 in restless legs syndrome". Movement Disorders. 21 (1): 28–33. doi:10.1002/mds.20627. PMID16124010. S2CID25736900.
^Levchenko, Anastasia; Montplaisir, Jacques-Yves; Dubé, Marie-Pierre; Riviere, Jean-Baptiste; St-Onge, Judith; Turecki, Gustavo; Xiong, Lan; Thibodeau, Pascale; Desautels, Alex; Verlaan, Dominique J.; Rouleau, Guy A. (2004). "The 14q restless legs syndrome locus in the French Canadian population". Annals of Neurology. 55 (6): 887–91. doi:10.1002/ana.20140. PMID15174026. S2CID31001901.
^Kemlink, David; Polo, Olli; Montagna, Pasquale; Provini, Federica; Stiasny-Kolster, Karin; Oertel, Wolfgang; De Weerd, Al; Nevsimalova, Sona; Sonka, Karel; Högl, Birgit; Frauscher, Birgit; Poewe, Werner; Trenkwalder, Claudia; Pramstaller, Peter P.; Ferini-Strambi, Luigi; Zucconi, Marco; Konofal, Eric; Arnulf, Isabelle; Hadjigeorgiou, Georgios M.; Happe, Svenja; Klein, Christine; Hiller, Anja; Lichtner, Peter; Meitinger, Thomas; Müller-Myshok, Betram; Winkelmann, Juliane (2007). "Family-based association study of the restless legs syndrome loci 2 and 3 in a European population". Movement Disorders. 22 (2): 207–12. doi:10.1002/mds.21254. PMID17133505. S2CID34801702.
^Liebetanz, K. M.; Winkelmann, J; Trenkwalder, C; Pütz, B; Dichgans, M; Gasser, T; Müller-Myhsok, B (2006). "RLS3: Fine-mapping of an autosomal dominant locus in a family with intrafamilial heterogeneity". Neurology. 67 (2): 320–321. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000224886.65213.b5. PMID16864828. S2CID20796797.
^Lohmann-Hedrich, K.; Neumann, A.; Kleensang, A.; Lohnau, T.; Muhle, H.; Djarmati, A.; König, I. R.; Pramstaller, P. P.; Schwinger, E.; Kramer, P. L.; Ziegler, A.; Stephani, U.; Klein, C. (2008). "Evidence for linkage of restless legs syndrome to chromosome 9p: Are there two distinct loci?". Neurology. 70 (9): 686–694. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000282760.07650.ba. PMID18032746. S2CID24889954.
^Levchenko, A.; Provost, S; Montplaisir, JY; Xiong, L; St-Onge, J; Thibodeau, P; Rivière, JB; Desautels, A; Turecki, G; Dubé, M. P.; Rouleau, G. A. (2006). "A novel autosomal dominant restless legs syndrome locus maps to chromosome 20p13". Neurology. 67 (5): 900–901. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000233991.20410.b6. PMID16966564. S2CID20555259.
^Allen, Richard (July 2004). "Dopamine and iron in the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS)". Sleep Medicine. 5 (4): 385–391. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2004.01.012. PMID15222997.
^Klein, Marianne O.; Battagello, Daniella S.; Cardoso, Ariel R.; Hauser, David N.; Bittencourt, Jackson C.; Correa, Ricardo G. (January 2019). "Dopamine: Functions, Signaling, and Association with Neurological Diseases". Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. 39 (1): 31–59. doi:10.1007/s10571-018-0632-3. PMID30446950. S2CID53567202.
^Garcia-Borreguero, Diego; Williams, Anne-Marie (August 2014). "An update on restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease): clinical features, pathogenesis and treatment". Current Opinion in Neurology. 27 (4): 493–501. doi:10.1097/WCO.0000000000000117. PMID24978636.
^Paulus, Walter; Trenkwalder, Claudia (October 2006). "Less is more: pathophysiology of dopaminergic-therapy-related augmentation in restless legs syndrome". The Lancet Neurology. 5 (10): 878–886. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(06)70576-2. PMID16987735. S2CID43111931.
^Allen, Richard P.; Montplaisir, Jacques; Walters, Arthur Scott; Ferini-Strambi, Luigi; Högl, Birgit (2017), "Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements During Sleep", Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine, Elsevier, pp. 923–934.e6, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-24288-2.00095-7, ISBN9780323242882
^ abSateia, Michael J (November 2014). "International Classification of Sleep Disorders-Third Edition". Chest. 146 (5): 1387–1394. doi:10.1378/chest.14-0970. PMID25367475.
^ abBreen, DP; Högl, B; Fasano, A; Trenkwalder, C; Lang, AE (July 2018). "Sleep-related motor and behavioral disorders: Recent advances and new entities". Movement Disorders. 33 (7): 1042–1055. doi:10.1002/mds.27375. PMID29756278. S2CID21672153.
^Quilici, S.; Abrams, K.R.; Nicolas, A.; Martin, M.; Petit, C.; LLeu, P.-L.; Finnern, H.W. (October 2008). "Meta-analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of pramipexole versus ropinirole in the treatment of restless legs syndrome". Sleep Medicine. 9 (7): 715–726. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2007.11.020. PMID18226947.
^Tippmann-Peikert, M.; Park, J. G.; Boeve, B. F.; Shepard, J. W.; Silber, M. H. (2007). "Pathologic gambling in patients with restless legs syndrome treated with dopaminergic agonists". Neurology. 68 (4): 301–3. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000252368.25106.b6. PMID17242339. S2CID26183000.
^ abWanner V, Garcia Malo C, Romero S, Cano-Pumarega I, García-Borreguero D (2019). "Non-dopaminergic vs. dopaminergic treatment options in restless legs syndrome". Pharmacology of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Adv Pharmacol. Vol. 84. pp. 187–205. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2019.02.003. ISBN9780128167588. PMID31229171. S2CID88409441.
^"HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION"(PDF). www.accessdata.fda.gov. Archived(PDF) from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023. -INDICATIONS AND USAGE- MIRAPEX is a non-ergot dopamine agonist indicated for the treatment of: • Parkinson's disease (PD) • Moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
^"HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION"(PDF). www.accessdata.fda.gov. Archived(PDF) from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023. INDICATIONS AND USAGE -HORIZANT is indicated for: • treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in adults. • management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults
^Berger, K.; Luedemann, J; Trenkwalder, C; John, U; Kessler, C (2004). "Sex and the Risk of Restless Legs Syndrome in the General Population". Archives of Internal Medicine. 164 (2): 196–202. doi:10.1001/archinte.164.2.196. PMID14744844.
^Lee, Kathryn A.; Zaffke, Mary Ellen; Baratte-Beebe, Kathleen (2001). "Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Disturbance during Pregnancy: The Role of Folate and Iron". Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine. 10 (4): 335–41. doi:10.1089/152460901750269652. PMID11445024.
^Yeh, Paul; Walters, Arthur S.; Tsuang, John W. (December 2012). "Restless legs syndrome: a comprehensive overview on its epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment". Sleep and Breathing. 16 (4): 987–1007. doi:10.1007/s11325-011-0606-x. PMID22038683. S2CID24079411.