Restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease patients may improve with subthalamic stimulation

Mov Disord. 2006 Aug;21(8):1287-9. doi: 10.1002/mds.20911.

Abstract

We report on 6 advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery whose restless legs syndrome (RLS) improved postoperatively. Despite a mean 56% decrease in their levodopa equivalents postoperatively, their RLS scores dropped by a mean of 84% (100% in three). Our findings suggest that bilateral STN DBS surgery can improve RLS in patients with advanced PD.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Deep Brain Stimulation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / etiology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / therapy*
  • Thalamus*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Levodopa