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Updated: May 29, 2026

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
Published on: March 2, 2015
[Restless legs syndrome and depression]
Johannes Rasmussen1, Poul Videbech
1Center for Psykiatrisk Forskning, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Risskov, Skovagervej 2, 8240 Risskov, Denmark. johannes.rasmussen@gmail.com
Abstract:
Epidemiological studies report an odds ratio of 2-4 for major depression among patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) compared with healthy controls. Also a high prevalence of RLS in populations of depressed patients is seen. Several possible explanations are proposed, such as dopamine dysfunction, sleep disturbances, shared diagnostic criteria and adverse effects of antidepressive treatment. There is a low degree of evidence for a treatment strategy when depression and RLS coexist. Furthermore, it is important to realize, that some antidepressants can induce or worsen RLS.
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