To access the session recording, navigate to the content tab and click the view video button. 

Session Schedule

Find a specific presentation in the course by navigating to the timestamp indicated below.

0:00:00
Prevalence, presentation and correlates of RLS among stroke survivors in India
Ravi Gupta (India)

0:12:50
Genetics of RLS, update and new developments
Juliane Winkelmann (Germany)

Recording not available: African descent and RLS: Phenotypic differences and racial insights
Michael Fawale (Nigeria)

0:39:10
Seasonal exacerbation and its associated factors in restless legs syndrome
Yukiyoshi Sumi (Japan)

1:02:05
Exploring the clinical spectrum of idiopathic RLS: Data-driven classification and therapeutic implications
Ki-Young Jung (Korea, Republic of)

1:18:15
Question and answer

Summary

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sleep-related sensorimotor disorder with a still unclear pathophysiology, and also a complex condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors, as well as comorbidities. Recent advancements highlight the significant role of genetic, environmental, and neurophysiological factors in shaping the disease's pathophysiology, expression, prevalence across different populations. This symposium will explore cutting-edge research and clinical insights into RLS, focusing on its genetic diversity, racial disparities, and phenotypes.

The session will begin with comparing the prevalence of RLS in the general population as well as stroke survivors in India. Then it will explore the phenomenological differences in the RLS among stroke survivors, patients with “primary” RLS and as reported in the literature from Western population. The discussion also addresses the demographic and clinical correlates of RLS among stroke survivors.
The second presentation will explore the genetic foundations of RLS, presenting insights from genome-wide association studies. This talk will highlight how genetic diversity affects disease susceptibility and symptom expression across populations, providing a perspective on potential targets for therapy.

The third talk will present findings from studies in Nigeria, emphasizing the notably low prevalence of RLS compared to Western and Asian populations. It will discuss racial differences and unique phenotypic characteristics observed in this population.

The fourth presentation will address the seasonal exacerbation of RLS symptoms, a phenomenon documented in both European and Asian studies. It will examine factors associated with seasonal exacerbation and consider their implications for understanding the pathophysiology of RLS.

The symposium will conclude with a presentation on the heterogeneity of idiopathic RLS, using data-driven classification to identify subgroups based on clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment responses. This session will highlight how data-driven approaches can uncover meaningful patterns to refine diagnosis, enhance patient management, and guide future research.

Together, these presentations will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the genetic, environmental, and clinical factors influencing RLS, bridging gaps in knowledge and fostering meaningful discussions to advance patient care.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this CME activity, participants will be able to:
• Appreciate the following among stroke survivors in India; Prevalence of RLS, Phenomenology of RLS, comparison of phenomenology with "primary" RLS, and Demographic and clinical correlates of RLS
• Appreciate the following about the Genetics of RLS; familial occurrence of RLS, underlying genetic architecture of RLS, understanding the functions and implication of RLS genes, and the use of genetic findings for diagnostics and therapy
• Identify RLS phenotypic characteristics in African descent versus other racial groups, understand factors influencing racial differences in RLS, recognize cultural and healthcare disparities in RLS diagnosis and treatment, and understand the necessity of culturally tailored healthcare strategies
• Highlights the higher prevalence of familial history among patients with seasonal exacerbation and explores potential contributing factors, such as increased body temperature in warm environments and reduced iron levels, while emphasizing areas for further research
• Explore the heterogeneity of idiopathic RLS by leveraging clustering methods to classify patients based on symptoms, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment responses. Attendees will gain insight into how data-driven approaches can uncover meaningful patterns that refine diagnosis, improve patient management, and guide future research