RLS Research & Publications

Every day, research uncovers new information about possible therapies for RLS. Your involvement in clinical studies could help in the development of medications to treat RLS. You, a family member, and many other people may benefit from your willingness to become involved.

What is a Clinical Study?

A clinical study is carefully designed to test the effects of a medication, medical treatment, or device in a group of volunteers. Clinical studies are an important step in making new medication available. They measure the study drug's ability to treat a condition, its safety, and its possible side effects. This information helps doctors and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decide if a drug is safe and effective for an illness or disease before it is made widely available to physicians and patients.

During an individual's participation in a clinical study, he or she will see doctors and nurses frequently. In many clinical studies, participants may receive either the drug being studied or a placebo (sugar pill). Study related physical examinations, laboratory tests, and study medications are usually provided at no cost throughout the trial. In addition, travel and other expenses accrued during the study may also be reimbursed.

Listed below are the clinical studies currently underway at the Johns Hopkins Center For Restless Legs Syndrome:

• Systemic Iron Metabolism in Restless Legs Syndrome
  This study will examine the iron absorption and turnover between those individuals with RLS and those without.
  
  
• Intravenous Iron Metabolism in Restless Legs Syndrome
  This study will examine the effects of high-dose infusions of iron on Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) symptoms and brain concentrations of iron.
  
  
• Iron-related Proteins in Lymphocytes from RLS and Control Subjects
  This study examines the Lymphocytes in the blood to answer specific questions regarding iron regulatory proteins.
  
  
• Dopamine and Iron in Restless Legs Syndrome
  This study examines the differences in D2R (a dopamine receptor),
  DAT (a transmitter), DA release, and prolactin at night in those individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and those without.
  
  
• Dopamine - RLS Connection
  This study will be looking at the concentration of various chemicals in your blood and brain. We are also studying changes in hormones, which can be found in your blood. We will be looking at various aspects of sleep and wake behavior.