EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1998 For more information contact: Julie Gilbert (651) 695-2763 [email protected]
Good NightÃs Sleep May Be in Store for People with Restless Legs Syndrome
ST. PAUL, MN (December 21, 1998) ñ People with restless legs syndrome may sleep easier with the help of the generic drug pergolide, according to a study in the December issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Uncomfortable sensations in the legs make it difficult for patients with restless legs syndrome to fall asleep. Once asleep, leg movements often awaken patients.
ìItÃs disabling when people canÃt sleep and wake up feeling exhausted every day,î said study author and neurologist Christopher Earley, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. ìPergolide controls the number of leg movements during sleep and this allows patients and even their bed partners to wake up feeling better rested.î
Researchers studied 16 people with moderate to severe restless legs syndrome. Eight patients were given pergolide; the remainder received a placebo. Researchers rated improvement by using a test to measure sleep patterns and leg movements during sleep. In addition, patients rated their overall improvement.
Patients on pergolide reported a 61 percent improvement. The placebo group reported a 19 percent improvement. Pergolide reduced leg movements by approximately 34 percent and this helped improve sleep, said Earley.
Pergolide also reduces daytime symptoms of restless legs syndrome. ìBy taking this drug, people can sit comfortably for longer periods of time,î said Earley. ìImagine the difference pergolide can make for people with sit-down jobs and for those who relax by sitting down to watch a movie or read a book.î
The drug levodopa is commonly used to treat restless legs syndrome. However, levodopa cannot relieve symptoms through the night and the drug loses its effectiveness after long-term use.
Because levodopa is metabolized in the brain as dopamine, researchers looked for another drug with similar properties to treat restless legs syndrome. Pergolide mimics the actions of dopamine in the brain and maintains its effectiveness throughout the night. Future research will study the long-term effectiveness of pergolide.
Restless legs syndrome affects up to 15 percent of Americans. The disorder causes a prickly, tingly or crawling sensation in the legs that is relieved by movement.
The research was supported in part by Athena Neurosciences, Inc., a distributor of pergolide.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.
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