Figure 2.

Proposed possible role of infectious agents, mainly viruses with neurotropism and the TORCH complex, as trigger for inflammatory and immune reactions in genetically predisposed subjects for RLS

A series of biological pathways (especially IL-17, TRP, NF-κB, NLR, MAPK, p53, mitophagy, and ferroptosis) involved in neurotransmitter mechanisms, synaptic plasticity, hyperarousability, and axon guidance, as well as neurodegeneration, carcinogenesis, and metabolism might be activated by infections.