New study: People with RLS have structural changes in the part of the brain where sensations are processed.

[Ureshi17]

This appears to be a brand new study;

neurosciencenews.com/somato...

“Our study, which we believe is the first to show changes in the sensory system with restless legs syndrome, found evidence of structural changes in the brain’s somatosensory cortex, the area where sensations are processed,”

It may hopefully open up new avenues for research and treatment.

[involuntarydancer]

As I read it, it suggests that rls may be linked to changes in other parts of the sensory system than the brain.

Very interesting. Thanks Ureshi.

[Hidden]

Very interesting! Question, though: this study sounds like it was geared towards those with primary RLS. What about those with secondary RLS?

[lorrinet in reply to Hidden]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is 'primary' and what is 'secondary' RLS?

[Keitha in reply to lorrinet]

I would like to know too.

[mantel in reply to lorrinet]

it is my understanding that primary is often inherited and is Idiopathic ( no known cause) often starts when you are quite young . It can come and go . Mine did but after my second pregnancy it was there to stay.

Secondary is as far as I know often caused by something like a medication. SSRI drugs are often listed as a cause also older antidepressants like Amitriptyline (terrible for many on here) or another illness can bring on symptoms. Also iron deficiency can be a cause

That may be too simple an explanation but there are others on here who know more on this subject. I have Primary, I was very young when I had my first symptoms that came and went until I was 31 when they never went away again. Both my Mother and Father suffered from it too . I am one of 7 children and the only one to inherit this horrible condition.

[lorrinet in reply to mantel]

Ah, so mine is primary, then. Started at 17 with mild irritation in one or other of my arms, which I was able to 'smother' by lying heavily on it, then a huge leap to full-blown, full-body RLS in pregnancy. My sister has it too and my mother developed it in her 60s. Once it began it never went away. You are so unlucky being the only sufferer out of 7 children.

[Hidden in reply to lorrinet]

From what I have understood, mine is secondary. Mine is not genetic and the RLS diagnosis came about after I augmented on Pramipexole, which I was put on for Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD).