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Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Research
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Volume 3
Page 21
Note:
allied
academies
J u n e 2 8 - 2 9 , 2 0 1 8 | D u b l i n , I r e l a n d
Joint Event on
NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
&
International Conference on
International Conference on
TREATMENT OF RESTLESS LEGS
SYNDROME WITH SELENIUM
Jan Ulfberg
Uppsala University, Swedan
A
highly researched area to find an Etiology and treatment for restless legs
syndrome (RLS) is the brain dopamine system. It is also claimed that
hypoxia, due to decreased peripheral blood flow, might at least partially cause
the characteristic unpleasant symptoms in RLS. Selenium has a strong anti-
oxidant action and is a regulator of dopamine function as well. Three female
patients, aged 25-60, were all suffering from severe to very severe RLS since
childhood. Severity was measured by using the International Restless Legs
Scale (IRLS), a 10-item questionnaire. Their scores of the IRLS were between
25 and 38. All 3 patients started to take selenium yeast 100 micrograms daily.
Six months later the patients presented at the clinic and were re-assessed.
Their RLS symptoms were substantially reduced to “moderate”, represented
by their IRLS scores of 10 to 18. All patients reported independently fromeach
other that they did not experience any changes initially, but after four months
of treatment, there was a steady reduction of their RLS-related symptoms.
In the literature there is only one earlier report of selenium treatment in RLS.
In a placebo-controlled trial,
Rahimdel et al
., showed RLS symptom-relieving
benefits of selenium salt, taken orally, 50 or 200 micrograms per day. It might
be hypothesized that seleniummay reduce the symptoms of RLS as selenium
may work on the function of the dopaminergic system. It is known that RLS-
patients are under oxidative stress. Thus, given the fact, that selenium is a
potent antioxidant, its mechanism of action could as well be related to its
ability to neutralize the reactive intermediates. Another possible working
mechanism could be through the positive effect selenium has on endothelial
function. To explore the efficacy of selenium in RLS, future randomized
clinical trials would be of great interest and value.
Jan Ulfberg is an Ass. Professor at Uppsala
University, Sweden, has been dedicated to sleep
research during recent 30 years, with a special
interest in restless legs syndrome (RLS), even
named Willis-Ekbom Disease. The focus of this
research has been on the epidemiology and the
pathophysiology of this disease.
jan.ulfberg@circadbok.seBIOGRAPHY
Jan Ulfberg, J Neurol Neurorehabil Res 2018, Volume 3