Lecturer Discusses Restless Legs Syndrome

This afternoon at SLEEP 2008, invited lecturer Dr. Christopher Earley is giving a presentation entitled, “Restless Legs Syndrome: From the Bed to the Bench and Back Again.” Earley will review the current understanding of RLS and discuss areas of potential for future research.

Earley is associate professor of neurology and associate director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. For more than 15 years his research has focused on RLS.

In 2007 new studies added to the research that is cracking the complex genetic code behind RLS. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, iron, dopamine and genetics appear to be the primary factors in the development of RLS.

RLS involves a strong, almost irresistible urge to move the legs that worsens at night and disturbs your ability to fall asleep or remain asleep. It occurs more often in women than in men.