WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF RLS?
While there seems to be no one single cause for people with RLS, a number of facts are now known. They include: • Drs Earley and Allen have documented central iron deficiency in patients with RLS, by using MRI and by taking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) • Painstaking genetic linkage studies by Drs Montplaisir and Rouleau have discovered that RLS is linked to chromosome 12 or 14, depending on the family. Their finding offers promise for further understanding the pathology of RLS • Dr Connor seems to have found that receptors for iron transport are insufficient in patients with RLS. These receptors arent packaging and delivering an adequate amount of iron to specific cells in the substantia nigra, in the mid brain section. In June 2003, Dr Connor presented his study of autopsies on the brains of people suffering from long term RLS. No Neuro degeneration and no loss or damage of brain cells, as seen in Parkinsons and Alzheimers Disease was found.
