2007年VOA标准英语-Study Shows Restless Leg Syndrome Traced to Gen

By Melinda Smith
Washington
23 July 2007
 

It has been estimated that ten percent of people worldwide suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome¹.  RLS is a neurological disorder² that makes it difficult to sit or lie still for long periods of time.  The disorder often occurs in the evening and at night, so falling sleep or staying asleep is especially difficult for those who have it.  VOA's Melinda Smith reports on results of two studies that trace the problem back to an inherited gene³.

How many of us take for granted a good night's sleep?  If you wake up often or do not sleep well during the night, there may be a genetic⁴ reason why.

Lynn Kaiser

Lynn Kaiser says she has not slept soundly in more than a decade. "It's hard to keep a brave face all the time, especially when you don't sleep for so long." Lynn is one of millions of people who have Restless Leg Syndrome. 

Dr. John Winkelman, medical director of a sleep health center in Boston, Massachusetts, describes common symptoms of those who have RLS. "Intense discomfort⁵ and need to move the legs is most pronounced at night."

Two new studies in Iceland and the United States have confirmed that the condition is more than just in one's own mind.  It is inherited through genetic variations.  How those genes⁶ influence the response in the brain is still uncertain.

Scientists also believe an iron deficiency affects the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system which controls movement and sensation.

The researchers say they believe the discovery of a genetic link will finally lead to effective treatment.  That would be good news for people like Lynn Kaiser, who just want to get some rest: "My goal is to manage it, rather than it manage me."

1 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

2 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

3 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

4 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

5 discomfort   

n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便

参考例句：

• One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
• She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。

6 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪