New Gene Variant Found in Restless Leg Syndrome

In the July 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers have identified a gene variant strongly associated with restless leg syndrome and also periodic limb movement disorder of sleep.

The researchers studied 306 Icelandic patients with objectively documented evidence of the disorder and 15,633 controls. I guess sleep is something fairly important to Icelanders as there is probably not much else to do.

The investigators found a highly significant association between restless legs syndrome and a common gene variant on chromosome 6p21.2. This was also replicated in an American sample. Persons with the gene variant were 50 percent more likely to have one of the two disorders.

This study may offer some hope in finding the underlying cause leading to better and more effective therapies. There are a few drugs available now that does improve the symptoms, but no cure as of yet.