People suffering from restless legs syndrome experience an unpleasant crawling sensation in their legs and an overwhelming urge to move them, especially in the evening or at night. It can seriously impair sleep and also cause depression or anxiety, cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Although the cause is unknown, researchers at the University of Munich (TUM) in Germany and the University of Cambridge collected and analyzed data from three genome-wide association studies with more than 100,000 patients and more than 1.5 million unaffected controls.
The results, published in the journal Nature Genetics, identified more than 140 new genetic risk loci, increasing the known number eightfold to 164, including three on the
The team found no strong genetic differences between men and women. This is despite the condition being twice as common in women as men, the team said.
Dr. Steven Bell of the University of Cambridge said that "understanding the genetic basis of restless legs syndrome" could help "find better ways to manage and treat it, potentially improving the lives of the millions of people affected around the world." It is possible". Of the genetic differences, two involve genes called glutamate receptors 1 and 4, respectively. The team said they could potentially be targeted by existing drugs, such as anticonvulsants such as perampanel and lamotrigine, or could be used to develop new drugs.
He said early trials have already shown positive responses to these drugs in patients with restless legs syndrome.
Although the cause is unknown, researchers at the University of Munich (TUM) in Germany and the University of Cambridge collected and analyzed data from three genome-wide association studies with more than 100,000 patients and more than 1.5 million unaffected controls.
The results, published in the journal Nature Genetics, identified more than 140 new genetic risk loci, increasing the known number eightfold to 164, including three on the
The team found no strong genetic differences between men and women. This is despite the condition being twice as common in women as men, the team said.
Dr. Steven Bell of the University of Cambridge said that "understanding the genetic basis of restless legs syndrome" could help "find better ways to manage and treat it, potentially improving the lives of the millions of people affected around the world." It is possible". Of the genetic differences, two involve genes called glutamate receptors 1 and 4, respectively. The team said they could potentially be targeted by existing drugs, such as anticonvulsants such as perampanel and lamotrigine, or could be used to develop new drugs.
He said early trials have already shown positive responses to these drugs in patients with restless legs syndrome.
