DOPAMINE-RLS CONNECTION

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sensory-motor disorder in which the dopaminergic system and brain iron appear to play a role. The dramatic symptomatic response to L-DOPA in over 98% of RLS subjects and the induction of RLS-like symptoms with dopamine (DA) antagonists provide convincing evidence for the role of the dopaminergic system in the production of RLS symptoms per se. The autopsy, CSF, MRI, and IV iron treatment data indicate a role of BRAIN iron deficiency in RLS. This study is designed to explore for abnormalities in the nigrostriatal (PET imaging of midbrain and striatum) and mesolimbic (PET imaging of ventral striatum/n. accumbens) Dopaminergic systems during the day. The DA-2 receptor (D2R) binding potential and Bmax, and DAT will be measured with state-of-the-art PET imaging techniques from 8:30-12 am. Any changes that are found in the DA system will be correlated with MRI measures of regional brain iron concentrations and measures of clinical severity. Idiopathic RLS patients and aged-matched controls will be studied in this Phase.