Restless Legs syndrome Treatment Linked to Lower Parkinson’s Disease Risk, Study Finds
New research suggests treatment with dopamine agonists may decrease the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). A study published in JAMA Network Open indicates that people with RLS who received dopamine agonist medications were less likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s compared to those not treated with the drugs.
Historically,RLS has been considered a potential early indicator of Parkinson’s disease,with both conditions linked to dysfunction in the dopaminergic pathway. Though, the new findings challenge this direct connection. Researchers found that individuals with RLS who didn’t receive dopamine agonists actually showed an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s, while those treated with the agonists experienced a decreased risk compared to a control group.
The study suggests a more complex relationship between RLS and Parkinson’s than previously understood, potentially involving factors like poor sleep health and iron deficiency. Researchers emphasize that not all RLS sufferers will develop Parkinson’s, and not all Parkinson’s cases are preceded by RLS.
“It is indeed possible that the pathophysiological bridge between RLS and Parkinson’s disease may involve alternative mechanisms other than the dopaminergic pathway,” the researchers write. They propose interpreting RLS as a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s, rather than an early manifestation of the disease.
While the statistical difference in parkinson’s diagnosis time between the RLS and control groups was only a few weeks on average, researchers note that this difference could accumulate substantially across the millions currently living with Parkinson’s.
The findings highlight the need for further research to clarify the association between RLS and Parkinson’s and to potentially inform the development of more effective treatments for both conditions. “Clarifying this association and the role of the dopaminergic pathway may improve understanding of the pathophysiology between these two diseases,” the researchers conclude.
