What are some of the known and hypothetical causes for restless legs syndrome?
For starters there are two types of restless legs syndrome—primary and secondary. Primary is termed idiopathic with the cause not yet determined. It is believed to involve three overlapping factors. The first factor involves the area of the brain that produces dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in movement and mood regulation to name a few of its functions. The second factor involved in primary RLS is the regulation of iron. Brain imaging and autopsies have revealed that there is a lower concentration of iron in the brains of individuals afflicted with restless legs syndrome. The link between these two factors is the finding that there are fewer receptors for iron in the brain region that is responsible for making the neurotransmitter dopamine. The third factor is genetics. This finding was based on the family history of patients suffering from primary restless legs syndrome revealing a 1st degree family member who also was afflicted with primary RLS. Scientists have nar
