Dyskinesias while awake and periodic movements in sleep in restless legs syndrome: treatment with opioids
Hening, W.A.; Walters, A.; Kavey, N.; Gidro-Frank, S.; Côté, L.; Fahn, S.
Neurology 36(10): 1363-1366
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-3878 PMID: 3762946 Document Number: 284456
In five unrelated patients with the restless legs syndrome, opioid drugs relieved restlessness, dysesthesias, dyskinesias while awake, periodic movements of sleep, and sleep disturbances. When naloxone was given parenterally to two treated patients, the signs and symptoms of the restless legs syndrome reappeared. Naloxone placebo had no effect. Opioid medications may offer a useful therapy for the restless legs syndrome. The endogenous opiate system may be involved in the pathogenesis of the syndrome.