title: Effect of pramipexole on cutaneous-silent-period parameters in patients with restless legs syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate cutaneous-silent-period (CSP) parameters in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and examine the effects of treatment on CSP which, to our knowledge, have not been investigated till date.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 patients with RLS and 25 healthy volunteers were studied. CSP latency and duration in the upper and lower extremities were examined in the two groups. In RLS patients, the variables were examined before and after pramipexole treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower-extremity CSP latency was longer (106.22±11.69 ms vs. 91.67±8.53 ms; p<0.001) and CSP duration was shorter (35.50±10.91 ms vs. 49.47±6.43 ms; p<0.001) in patients, compared with controls. In the patient group, CSP durations in the upper (40.88±7.95 ms vs. 46.84±10.22 ms; p=0.006) and lower extremities (35.50±10.91 ms vs. 44.91±6.43 ms; p=0.005) were prolonged after treatment, compared with pre-treatment values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small-fibre neuropathy may exist in RLS. In addition, we suggest that pramipexole may regulate cortical and spinal inhibitory mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of CSP may aid in the diagnosis of RLS and may be used as a measure of treatment effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Neurology, Ankara, Turkey. oz_oguzhan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Oğuzhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Öz
authors.forename: Çağdaş
authors.initials: Ç
authors.lastname: Erdoğan
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yücel
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akgün
authors.forename: Yaşar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kütükçü
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gökçil
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Odabaşi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077487:Pramipexole; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D052160:Benzothiazoles; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D000077487:Pramipexole