Targeting Dopamine Therapy in RLS

Neurons in the brain require blood and oxygen for proper function. The term "neurovascular coupling" has been postulated in the 19th century by Roy & Sherrington referring to increased blood flow to active neurons. The rationale of this research relies on the neurovascular coupling, suggesting that increased blood flow to active regions on the brain should supply not only more blood, but also more of a pharmacological agent present in the blood system at the time. Thus, active regions should be affected by the agent (=drug) to a greater extent. In the present study we focus on the dopaminergic system, critical in many functions such as cognition, response to stimuli and movement. One of the well-known dopaminergic pathways in the brain is the nigrostriatal pathway, mediating motor function. In this research, we intend to examine the effects of coupling functional activation in this pathway with a dopaminergic agent, Carbidopa/Levodopa, on symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). RLS is characterized by an irresistible urge to move the limbs (i.e. Akathisia), and results most prominently by a significant decrease in the quality of sleep. Our research focuses on this symptom of RLS to examine the effect of coupling brain activation and drug treatment. The first line of treatment in RLS is dopaminergic drugs. These drugs increase dopamine levels in motor pathways, and our research will aim to couple activation in the nigrostriatal motor pathway with dopaminergic treatment in RLS. Functional activation will be achieved with a simple motor task, known to elicit activation in the nigrostriatal pathway. We hypothesize that the drug will act upon the pre-activated motor system, and that this coupling between brain activation and drug treatment will ameliorate sleep-related symptoms of RLS, compared with treating these symptoms solely with a dopaminergic drug and compared with using a non-motor task.

Each participant will undergo physical examination by an doctor. Then, the participant will receive the Fitbit device with instructions for proper use. The next stages will take place at the participant's home environment. Each participant will monitor motor activity in hours prior to sleep and at night for assessing baseline activity level. After 3 nights of monitoring, each participant will be administered with a quarter of a Dopicar pill (4th night) and half a Dopical pill (5th night), measuring different dose effect on motor activity during sleep.This group will be administered with a quarter of a Dopicar pill, 1 hour prior to sleep. After 15 minutes, participants in this group will perform a motor task (e.g., walking) for 30 minutes.

Each participant will undergo physical examination by an doctor. Then, the participant will receive the Fitbit device with instructions for proper use. The next stages will take place at the participant's home environment. Each participant will monitor motor activity in hours prior to sleep and at night for assessing baseline activity level. After 3 nights of monitoring, each participant will be administered with a quarter of a Dopicar pill (4th night) and half a Dopical pill (5th night), measuring different dose effect on motor activity during sleep. This group will be administered with a quarter of a Placebo pill, 1 hour prior to sleep. After 15 minutes, participants in this group will perform a motor task (e.g., walking) for 30 minutes.

Each participant will undergo physical examination by an doctor. Then, the participant will receive the Fitbit device with instructions for proper use. The next stages will take place at the participant's home environment. Each participant will monitor motor activity in hours prior to sleep and at night for assessing baseline activity level. After 3 nights of monitoring, each participant will be administered with a quarter of a Dopicar pill (4th night) and half a Dopical pill (5th night), measuring different dose effect on motor activity during sleep. This group will be administered with a quarter of a Dopicar pill, 1 hour prior to sleep. After 15 minutes, participants in this group will perform a non-motor task (e.g., crossword puzzle) for 30 minutes.

Inclusion Criteria: RLS diagnosis according the common clinical criteria No known neurological illnesses No known Kidney illnesses No known iron deficiency No history of drug or alcohol use Exclusion Criteria: Regular drug treatment Use of a psychotropic substance in the two weeks prior to the study Auditory or Visual impairment Psychiatric history Neurological illness Chronic Kidney illness Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Dopaminergic drug intolerance or sensitivity Glaucoma Melanoma or Pre-Melanoma (current or previous) Pregnancy