Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Home Latest Health News Genetics study points to potential treatments for restless leg syndrome

Genetics study points to potential treatments for restless leg syndrome

by Medical Xpress
0 comment


Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Scientists have discovered genetic clues to the cause of restless leg syndrome, a condition common among older adults. The discovery could help identify those individuals at greatest risk of the condition and point to potential ways to treat it.

Restless leg syndrome can cause an unpleasant crawling sensation in the legs and an overwhelming urge to move them. Some people experience the symptoms only occasionally, while others get symptoms every day. Symptoms are usually worse in the evening or at night-time and can severely impair sleep.

Despite the condition being relatively common—up to one in 10 experience symptoms, while 2-3% are severely affected and seek medical help—little is known about its causes. People with restless leg syndrome often have other conditions, such as depression or anxiety, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, and diabetes, but the reason why is not known.

Previous studies had identified 22 genetic risk loci—that is, regions of our genome that contain changes associated with an increased risk of developing the condition. But there are still no known biomarkers—such as genetic signatures—that could be used to objectively diagnose the condition.

To explore the condition further, an international team led by researchers at the Helmholtz Munich Institute of Neurogenomics, Institute of Human Genetics of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Cambridge pooled and analyzed data from three . These studies compared the DNA of patients and healthy controls to look for differences more commonly found in those with restless leg syndrome. By combining the data, the team was able to create a powerful dataset with more than 100,000 patients and over 1.5 million unaffected controls.

The results of the study are published today in Nature Genetics.

Co-author Dr. Steven Bell from the University of Cambridge said, “This study is the largest of its kind into this common—but poorly understood—condition. By understanding the genetic basis of restless leg syndrome, we hope to find better ways to manage and treat it, potentially improving the lives of many millions of people affected worldwide.”

The team identified over 140 new genetic risk loci, increasing the number known eight-fold to 164, including three on the X chromosome. The researchers found no strong genetic differences between men and women, despite the condition being twice as common in women as it is in men. This suggests that a complex interaction of genetics and the environment (including hormones) may explain the we observe in real life.

Two of the genetic differences identified by the team involve genes known as glutamate receptors 1 and 4, which are important for nerve and brain function, respectively. These could potentially be targeted by existing drugs, such as anticonvulsants like perampanel and lamotrigine, or used to develop new drugs. Early trials have already shown positive responses to these drugs in patients with restless leg syndrome.

The researchers say it would be possible to use basic information like age, sex, and genetic markers to accurately rank who is more likely to have severe restless leg syndrome in nine cases out of ten.

To understand how restless leg syndrome might affect overall health, the researchers used a technique called Mendelian randomization. This uses genetic information to examine cause-and-effect relationships. It revealed that the syndrome increases the risk of developing diabetes.

Although low levels of iron in the blood are thought to trigger restless leg syndrome—because they can lead to a fall in the —the researchers did not find strong genetic links to iron metabolism. However, they say they cannot completely rule it out as a risk factor.

Professor Juliane Winkelmann from TUM, one of the senior authors of the study, said, “For the first time, we have achieved the ability to predict risk. It has been a long journey, but now we are empowered to not only treat but even prevent the onset of this condition in our patients.”

More information:
Schormair et al. Genome-wide meta-analyses of restless legs syndrome yield insights into genetic architecture, disease biology, and risk prediction, Nature Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01763-1

Citation:
Genetics study points to potential treatments for restless leg syndrome (2024, June 5)
retrieved 5 June 2024
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-genetics-potential-treatments-restless-leg.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.





Source link

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Edtior's Picks

Latest Articles

All Rights reserved, site designed by Yellohost.co.za