Great news for the millions of sufferers whose legs kick at night. A recent issue of Neurology reports that the drug called Neurontin relieved symptoms of even severe restless legs syndrome, and with few side effects."
There is little wrong that you can do with Neurontin, and it is easier to use than a dopaminergic drug," says study author Dr. Diego Garcia-Borreguero, director of a sleep disorders unit in Madrid, Spain, and medical advisory board member of the RLS Foundation.
We asked Dr. Garcia-Borreguero about the Neurontin dose tested in the clinical study.
"We used a higher dose of Neurontin than in previous trials," he explains. "Earlier studies on RLS used dosages of approximately 900 to 1,000 milligrams. We used a mean of 1,850 milligrams. We gave roughly one-third of the dose at noon and two-thirds a little before bedtime--8:00 p.m. was the time of the second administration. The main part of the dose was given at night in order to avoid the main side effect of Neurontin, which is sedation."
Left untreated, iron deficiency and other metabolic problems can exacerbate RLS symptoms, advises Dr. Garcia-Borreguero. The body stores iron in the form of an iron-phosphorus-protein complex called ferritin.
"When we see patients, we make sure that no metabolic abnormalities are present," he says. "We do a blood panel, looking for specific metabolic factors like ferritin. There is an increased risk of RLS when ferritin is below 45 mcg/L. In addition, we look for transferrin, a protein that binds and transports iron. Other factors that we consider are blood levels of thyroid hormones, vitamin B12, folic acid, and magnesium."
On another front, Dr. James Connor of the Penn State College of Medicine has discovered that there is a difference in the RLS brain and the non-RLS brain.
By comparing autopsies, the researchers found no evidence of brain deterioration, but they found that cells in the midbrain were not consuming enough iron.
The iron deficiency that resulted wasn't enough to kill brain cells, but they believed the iron deficiency might be enough to cause the cells to malfunction.
They reported that patients often experience relief after taking iron supplements. As one grows older, the brain may not be processing iron as well.
At our Society, we have done much research on B12, folic acid, and magnesium, and we have found that there is no reason for senior citizens not to supplement, since these are such essential nutrients. As the lining of the gastric mucosa ages, it is less likely to absorb as efficiently as in a younger person's.
Restless legs syndrome is just one of the many problems that may occur more frequently after middle age. To ensure good health, folic acid, B12, and magnesium are safe precautions. Iron supplementation should be taken under direction of a physician.
E-mail Article 
Print Article 
Discuss Article
