Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

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.


Clinical Trial Description

n/a


Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Subject), Primary Purpose: Treatment


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT01937169
Study type Interventional
Source Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Contact Haggai Sharon, MD
Email haggais@tlvmc.gov.il
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date January 2014

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Not yet recruiting NCT05985421 - Gut Microbiota and Bacterial Translocation in Restless Legs Syndrome
Recruiting NCT04786314 - The Effect of Hot and Cold Water Application on Pregnant Women With Restless Leg Syndrome N/A
Completed NCT01455012 - Effects of Neupro on Cardiovascular Observations in Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome Phase 4
Terminated NCT01192503 - Safety and Efficacy of Rasagiline in Restless Legs Syndrome Phase 2/Phase 3
Completed NCT00721279 - Sifrol (Pramipexole) Onset of Action and Impact: a 12-weeks Observational Study in Patients With Primary Restless Legs Syndrome N/A
Completed NCT00530530 - ASP8825 - Study in Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome Phase 2
Completed NCT00942253 - Exercise Training in Dialysis Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Phase 2
Completed NCT00375284 - A 6 Week Trial to Study the Efficacy and Safety of a Starting Dose 0.25 mg Pramipexole (Mirapex) in Patients With RLS Phase 4
Completed NCT00479531 - Sequential Compression Devices for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05581576 - Pitolisant in Refractory Restless Legs Syndrome Phase 4
Active, not recruiting NCT03218969 - Treatment of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Augmentation With Ecopipam, a D1 Specific Antagonist Phase 1/Phase 2
Recruiting NCT04144790 - Impact of Iron Supplementation Treatment on Brain Iron Concentrations
Completed NCT05787080 - Massage, Oxidative and Antioxidant Enzymes in Hemodialysis Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome(RLS) N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT05529095 - Sublingual Apomorphine in Refractory Restless Legs Syndrome Phase 4
Recruiting NCT05044520 - Clinical Features Associated With Restless Legs Syndrome.
Withdrawn NCT03849001 - Impact of Acute Leg Cycling at Various Intensities on RLS Severity in Persons With MS N/A
Completed NCT03076541 - Cardiovascular Variability, Heart Rate Response, and Electromyogram Power Associated With Periodic Leg Movements. N/A
Recruiting NCT04145674 - A Proof of Concept, Phase 2, Double-blind, Randomized Trial With d-Methadone Product Versus Placebo Phase 2
Completed NCT02532608 - Infra-slow Oscillations During Sleep N/A
Completed NCT01528462 - Sleep Disorders Managed and Assessed Rapidly in Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and In Early Stroke