Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Induction and Assessment of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease
Published on: October 14, 2021
Restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease
Cecilia M Peralta1, Birgit Frauscher, Klaus Seppi
1Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
We aimed to investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) according to essential diagnostic criteria, and to explore potential associations with clinical features, especially motor fluctuations, in a cohort of 113 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Twenty-eight (24%) fulfilled essential diagnostic criteria for RLS. They were younger (63.1 +/- 8.6 vs. 68.8 +/- 9.0 years; P = 0.004), had an earlier onset of PD (54.1 +/- 9.5 vs. 59.2 +/- 10.3 years; P = 0.018), and received lower levodopa equivalent doses (578.4 +/- 382.2 vs. 779.1 +/- 459.6 mg/day; P = 0.04) than patients with PD who scored negative for RLS. In 23 patients (82%), RLS symptom onset was after PD onset (mean interval, 4.5 +/- 3.7 years). The majority (n = 17, 61%) who scored positive for RLS reported that the urge to move the legs and unpleasant sensations were associated with wearing off, raising the possibility of RLS mimics in fluctuating patients with PD.
Related Concept Videos
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
