RLS Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Announce 2025 Research Grant Awardees

RLS Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Announce 2025 Research Grant Awardees August 4, 2025 The Restless Leg...

RLS Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Announce 2025 Research Grant Awardees

August 4, 2025

The Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Foundation and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation (AASM Foundation) are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 RLS research grant awards. These grants support innovative scientific studies aimed at advancing understanding, diagnosis and treatment of restless legs syndrome. This year, four research projects have been selected for funding – two of which are co-funded by the RLS Foundation and the AASM Foundation. This funding is made available through the RLS Foundation’s Research Grant Program, which has awarded over $2 million in grants for RLS research since 1997.

“The AASM Foundation is proud to partner with the RLS Foundation to fund high-impact research that addresses critical gaps in our understanding of restless legs syndrome,” said Dr. Lynn Marie Trotti, President of the AASM Foundation. “These innovative projects have the potential to advance scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life for individuals living with RLS, and we are excited to support the investigators driving this important work forward.”

RLS is a chronic neurological disease characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, especially at night. Many people with RLS endure unrelenting symptoms that severely disrupt sleep and can have a devastating impact on their well-being. An estimated 7–8% of adults in the US have RLS, and treatments are limited.

“We are proud to partner with the AASM Foundation to support researchers dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by RLS. This partnership signifies our shared commitment to accelerating progress in understanding and treating sleep disorders,” says RLS Foundation Executive Director Karla Dzienkowski.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 grant recipients!

2025 Co-Funded Grant Recipients (RLS Foundation & AASM Foundation)

Dr. Kondaiah Palsa (Penn State University)
Grant Title: Defective transferrin receptor regulation in the blood-brain barrier endothelial cells underlies brain iron insufficiency in RLS.

Dr. Emmanual Mignot and Dr. Katie Cederberg (Stanford University)
Grant Title: Proteomic approach to understanding the mechanism of action for exercise as a non-pharmacological management method in RLS. A pilot study.

2025 RLS Foundation-Funded Grant Recipients:

Dr. Brian Koo (Yale University)
Grant Title: Cerebrospinal Fluid Melanocortin and Endorphin in Restless Legs Syndrome Related Augmentation

Dr. Maria Paola Mogavero (Vita- Salute San Raffaele University)
Grant Title: Involvement of Calcitonin Gene- Related Peptide in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteomics Analysis

The RLS Foundation Research Grant Program calls for grant proposals of a one-year duration, with funding levels of up to $50,000. Interested applicants may submit a letter of intent beginning in December. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. More details and application instructions are available on the RLS Foundation website.

For more information about the RLS Foundation or current research initiatives, visit www.rls.org. To learn more about the AASM’s research and funding opportunities, visit www.aasm.org.

About the RLS Foundation

The RLS Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of the millions who live with restless legs syndrome. Founded in 1989, the Foundation’s goals are to increase awareness, improve treatments and advance research for a cure. The Foundation serves healthcare providers, researchers, 6,000 members and an estimated 12 million individuals (10 million adults and 1.5 million children) in the US who have RLS.

About the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation

The AASM Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Our values, programs, and purpose are focused on investing in people, research, and communities to improve the sleep health of all people. Learn more about the AASM Foundation by visiting foundation.aasm.org.

Media Contacts:

For the RLS Foundation:
Adrianna Colucci
Communications Coordinator, RLS Foundation
adrianna@rls.org
512-366-9109

For the AASM Foundation:
Kate Robards
Senior Writer
krobards@aasm.org
630-737-9738

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