Motor hyperactivity of the iron-deficient rat - an animal model of restless legs syndrome.
Mov Disord
; 32(12): 1687-1693, 2017 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28843017
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Abnormal striatal dopamine transmission has been hypothesized to cause restless legs syndrome. Dopaminergic drugs are commonly used to treat restless legs syndrome. However, they cause adverse effects with long-term use. An animal model would allow the systematic testing of potential therapeutic drugs. A high prevalence of restless legs syndrome has been reported in iron-deficient anemic patients. We hypothesized that the iron-deficient animal would exhibit signs similar to those in restless legs syndrome patients.METHODS:
After baseline polysomnographic recordings, iron-deficient rats received pramipexole injection. Then, iron-deficient rats were fed a standard rodent diet, and polysomnographic recording were performed for 2 days each week for 4 weeks.RESULTS:
Iron-deficient rats have low hematocrit levels and show signs of restless legs syndrome sleep fragmentation and periodic leg movements in wake and in slow-wave sleep. Iron-deficient rats had a positive response to pramipexole treatment. After the iron-deficient rats were fed the standard rodent diet, hematocrit returned to normal levels, and sleep quality improved, with increased average duration of wake and slow-wave sleep episodes. Periodic leg movements decreased during both waking and sleep. Hematocrit levels positively correlated with the average duration of episodes in wake and in slow-wave sleep and negatively correlated with periodic leg movements in wake and in sleep. Western blot analysis showed that striatal dopamine transporter levels were higher in iron-deficient rats.CONCLUSIONS:
The iron-deficient rat is a useful animal model of iron-deficient anemic restless legs syndrome. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Síndrome das Pernas Inquietas
/
Distúrbios do Metabolismo do Ferro
/
Hipercinese
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article