New Member Joins RLS Foundation Scientific and Medical Advisory Board

We are pleased to welcome a new member to the RLS Foundation's Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB), Kathy Richards, PhD, RN, FAAN! Richards is a research professor at The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing. As a UT Austin PhD graduate, Kathy has conducted sleep research in Alzheimer's disease for 20 years, and received over $25 million in NIH funding to support her research endeavors.

"I am looking forward to working with others to help advance the science of RLS, especially related to older adults," Richards said.

Her newest project is the NightRest project and the Behavioral Indicators Test for Restless Legs Syndrome in older adults. In partnership with Christine Kovach, PhD, RN, FAAN, a research professor in aging at the Jewish Home and Care Center at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Richards received a $3.9 million five year grant from the National Institute on Aging to improve the treatment of nighttime agitation in those with Alzheimer's disease. They hypothesize that RLS may be a cause for nighttime agitation and sleep disturbance in these individuals. This study marks the very first time that a new diagnostic tool will be used in research on nighttime agitation.

"Dr. Richards' expertise in sleep research, particularly as regards aging and the elderly, will be invaluable to the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board," SMAB Chair Christopher Earley, MB, BCh, PhD, said. "We are lucky to have her join our team."

Thank you, Kathy, and welcome!