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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurologic disorder characterized by an uncomfortable sensation and a compelling desire to move the extremities. Symptoms predominately occur at rest, worsen at night, and are usually alleviated by movement. Consequently, RLS often leads to disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue. The pathophysiology of RLS is unknown, although a central dopaminergic dysfunction hypothesis has been proposed. Drugs used in the treatment of RLS include levodopa, dopamine agonists, benzodiazepines, opioids, and clonidine. Antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine and gabapentin may also be effective.1 We report a case of zonisamide-induced RLS. We are not aware of other cases of RLS induced by an antiepileptic drug.
Case report.
A 27-year-old right-handed Caucasian woman presented to the epilepsy clinic for evaluation of myoclonic jerks and infrequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Her medical history was remarkable for migraine headaches. Family history was negative for seizures. Her first convulsive febrile seizure occurred at age 3 years after an unremarkable perinatal course. She was subsequently treated with phenobarbital. After a seizure-free interval of 11 years, phenobarbital was tapered and discontinued.
At age 18 years, convulsive seizures resumed. Resumption of phenobarbital failed to control the seizures. A brain MRI scan was normal. Concurrently, she experienced mild myoclonic jerks involving her entire body. …
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