SPECT-, PET- und MRT-Untersuchungen zu Dopamin und Eisen beim Restless-legs-Syndrom

Neuroimaging techniques provide fundamental and new insights into the neurobiology of the restless legs syndrome (RLS). Consequently, SPECT, PET and MR imaging of elements of the dopaminergic and iron system may contribute to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this frequent sleep-related movement disorder. However, SPECT and PET studies of the nigrostriatal pre- and postsynaptic dopamine receptor binding potentials have produced controversial results, possibly reflecting a subtle receptor dysfunction of the central dopaminergic system. In addition, alterations of the iron system as shown in MRI studies may produce a dopaminergic abnormality contributing to the RLS pathology. However, particularly due to methodological and technical limitations, no definite conclusions are possible and more refined functional and structural imaging studies are necessary.