title: Globus pallidus deep brain stimulation for refractory idiopathic restless legs syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The neuroanatomic substrate of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is unknown. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) and other targets is used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), and RLS symptoms associated with PD have been reported to improve when GPi DBS is used in that population. We wish to test whether GPi DBS can improve idiopathic RLS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We implanted bilateral GPi DBS in a subject with refractory idiopathic RLS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GPi cells recordings were dissimilar to those of PD. Clinically, the patient had a good, but far from complete, response, which more prominently affected the urge to move and involuntary movements than the painful component.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DBS for RLS remains investigational.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. William.Ondo@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Ondo
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jankovic
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Joohi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Shahed
mesh_terms: D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome