Treating Restless Legs Syndrome Reduces Parkinson’s Disease Risk

A recent study offers new insight into how restless legs syndrome and Parkinson’s disease may be linked.

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For the estimated 30 million Americans who experience nighttime restlessness due to restless legs syndrome, a recent study offers both a caution and a reassurance: While the condition may carry a small increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, the very medications used to treat it appear to offer protection.

The finding highlights the complex relationship between two conditions that both involve the brain’s dopamine system and underscores why careful diagnosis and follow-up matter for people living with chronic movement disorders.

A Surprising Protective Effect

Patients with restless legs syndrome had a significantly higher risk of Parkinson’s disease than patients without restless legs syndrome, according to the study published in JAMA Network Open.