1. Introduction Restless Legs Syndrome (rls) Is a Sensorimotor Dis- Order Characterized Primarily by Motor Restless- Ness Which Is Brought on by Rest and Accentuated Later in the Day and during the Early Night in Those with Normal Circadian Activity

This paper reviews evidence from April, 1998 through April 2002 for the dopaminergic treatment of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). There has been increased study of dopaminergic agents for the treatment of these conditions since publication of a review paper and practice parameters that covered all types of medical treatment of RLS and PLMD in 1999. For this reason, the Restless Legs Syndrome Task Force and the Standards of Practice Committee decided to update the evidence on dopaminergic treatment of these conditions. This paper reviews the literature on levodopa, dopaminergic agonists (pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole, talipexole, cabergoline, piribidel, DHEC), and other dopaminergic agents (amantadine, selegiline). Abbreviations: DB, double blinded; DHEC, alpha-dihydroergocryptine; F, female; ICSDInternational Classification of Sleep Disorders (6); IRLSSG, diagnosis by International RLS Study group criteria (34); M, male; PD, Parkinson’s disease; PLM, periodic limb movement(s); PLMA, periodic limb movements(s) with arousal; PLMAI, periodic limb movement arousal index (PLMA per hour of sleep); PLMI, PLMS index (PLMS per hour of sleep); PSG, polysomnography (sleep study); QHS, nightly at bedtime; QOL, quality of life; SBJ, subjective measure; SE, sleep efficiency; SR, sustained release (formulation of levodopa compound); TIB, time in bed; TX, therapy Citation: A Review by the Restless Legs Syndrome Task Force of the Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. An update on the dopaminergic treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder. SLEEP 2004; 27(3):560-83. Table 1—Clinical Features of the Restless Legs Syndrome