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Supportive of the Diagnosis:
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- Dopaminergic responsiveness. The dopamine system within the brain is
thought to play a role in the mechanism that underlies RLS. Many patients
with RLS notice an improvement in their symptoms when they take drugs that
boost the dopamine system.
- Periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) (in individuals under 50 years
of age).
- Individuals of any age may experience periodic limb movements during
wakefulness (PLMA).
- Periodic limb movements are clonic type movements
(or uncontrollable 'jerks') - usually of the lower extremities.
- The pathophysiology of PLMS in RLS is unknown but it is hypothesised that
the entire spinal cord is abnormally hyperexcitable.
- Various sleep and neurological disorders are associated with PLMS (many of
which are associated with abnormalities in the central dopamine system) and
they may increase with age - the exact association with RLS is not yet
established.
- Family history- A familial occurrence is found in approximately 50-92% of
patients with RLS of unknown cause. Early onset RLS is more commonly
familial.
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