A novel locus for restless legs syndrome on chromosome 13q.
BACKGROUND
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder in which affected individuals suffer from uncomfortable sensations and an urge to move their lower limbs; it occurs mainly in resting situations during the evening or at night. Multiple chromosomal loci have been mapped for RLS through family-based linkage analysis, and genome-wide association studies but causative mutations have not been identified yet.


METHODS
We identified an RLS family from the eastern part of central Turkey which has 10 patients suffering from this syndrome. Whole genome linkage analysis was performed in family members who consented for study (9 affected and 2 unaffected).


RESULTS
A theoretical maximum logarithm of the odds score of 3.29 was identified at chromosome 13q32.3-33.2. This result shows strong genetic linkage to this locus.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated a genetic linkage at chromosome 13 in a RLS family. Further investigation in this linkage area may reveal a causative gene leading to RLS phenotype and may illuminate the pathogenesis of this disease. This study supports the genetic heterogeneity in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.
Department of Neurology, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey.
Hatice
H
Balaban
Fatih
F
Bayrakli
Ugur
U
Kartal
Ergun
E
Pinarbasi
Suat
S
Topaktas
Hamit Zafer
HZ
Kars
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002882:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 / Q000235:genetics*; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D056426:Genetic Loci; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008126:Lod Score; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*