Restless leg syndrome is a disorder of neurological origin. This condition happens when the urge to move one’s legs becomes strong even if the person is stationary. The people suffering from the condition suffer from sensations like burning or itching, or even sensations of something crawling on their legs. These sensations are termed as paresthesias or dysesthesias, and may range from unpleasant to painful. This is also one of the major causes of insomnia in people as the uncomfortable feelings in their legs force them to get up in the nights.
In a study conducted by Canadian researchers of 19 French-Canadian families have isolated chromosome 12q as the genetic component that affects the people with restless leg syndrome.The study also suggest the presence of at least one other gene in the human body that together with the former one affect the people with the syndrome. The researchers have reported that most of the sufferers of this syndrome among the population studied had significantly higher leg movements even during their sleep.
Scientists have named the gene in the chromosome 12q responsible for restless leg syndrome as RLS1. They are yet to find the exact position of the other gene that also influences this condition.
Reference: Archives of Neurology, issue April 2005
