Until now it was thought that restless legs syndrome (RLS) is caused by genetic, metabolic, and central nervous system mechanisms. But in new research published in the Journal of Physiology, researchers show that, in fact, it is not only the central nervous system but also the nerve cells targeting the muscles themselves that are responsible.
This new research indicates that the involuntary leg movements in RLS are caused by increased excitability of the nerve cells that supply the muscles in the leg, which results in an increased number of signals being sent between nerve cells.
Targeting the way messages are sent between nerve cells to reduce the number of messages to normal levels may help prevent the symptoms of RLS occurring. This could be achieved by new drugs that block the ion channels that are essential for the communication between nerve cells.
The research conducted by the University of Gottingen in conjunction with the University of Sydney and Vanderbilt University involved measuring the nerve excitability of motor nerve cells of patients suffering with RLS and healthy subjects.
The next step is to investigate the effect of different medications in patients and the effect on RLS.
Dirk Czesnik, corresponding author of the study, says in a release, “Patients who suffer from restless legs syndrome complain of painful symptoms in the legs leading to sleep disturbances. The mechanisms for RLS are still not completely understood. We have shown that also the nerve cells supplying muscles in the leg are responsible and hereby additional drug treatments may be ahead targeting these nerve cells.”
Typically children that suffer from “growing pains” have RLS.
RLS is not a involuntary movement. I have to move my legs to cope with the creepy feeling in my legs. It also is not pain. It feels like tiny eletrictity volts going up and down in my legs.
Yes, it is not an involuntary movement, it is the strong urge to move the legs,almost impossible to resist. The consequent moving of the legs is voluntary, in response to the feeling of urgency to move.
That is the way it hits me too. But oddly enough, sometimes I will feel a small tweak of pain which feels like it “shoots” across my body and gives mevthe same feeling of needing to move with my arms too. How are all you doing in your dealing with it? Medication working, how well? Thanks!