Akathisia and Restless Legs Syndrome

This article proposes that it involves an increased presynaptic dopaminergic transmission in the ventral striatum and concomitant strong activation of postsynaptic dopamine D1 receptors, which form complexes (heteromers) with dopamine D3 and adenosine A1 receptors. It also proposes that in DRBA-induced akathisia, increased dopamine release depends on inactivation of autoreceptors, whereas in RLS it depends on a brain iron deficiency –induced down-regulation of striatal presynaptic A1 receptors.

Source: Sleep Medicine Clinics - April 9, 2021 Category: Sleep Medicine Authors: Sergi Ferr é, Xavier Guitart, César Quiroz, William Rea, Celia García-Malo, Diego García-Borreguero, Richard P. Allen, Christopher J. Earley Source Type: research