Xinhua - English

Xinhua News - English

Study: restless legs syndrome linked to genes

www.chinaview.cn 2007-07-19 09:02:54

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Scientists have discovered certain genes linked to restless legs syndrome (RLS) -- an uncomfortable and sleep-robbing neurological disorder characterized by repeated movement of the legs, media reported Thursday.

The discovery, published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine and in the online edition of Nature Genetics, suggested the twitching condition is biologically based and not an imaginary disorder.

The new studies are the first to identify specific genes responsible for restless legs syndrome symptoms.