
Christopher J. Earley, MBBCH, PhD
Neurology
Sleep Medicine
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Christopher J. Earley
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Neurology
Background
Dr. Earley received his medical degree as well as a PhD in Pharmacology from the University College in Galway, Ireland. He completed a full residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor Medical College and then went to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to complete his residency in Neurology. After then spending a year at the NIH as a fellow in the Neurobiology Unit, Dr. Earley joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 1991.
2008 Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins
1994- Associate Director, Sleep Disorders Center, JHBMC
Education and Training:
1973 - B.S. (General), Villanova University
1974 - B.A. (Psychology), Arizona State University
1978 - Ph.D. (Pharmacology), National University of Ireland
1983 - M.B., B.Ch. ( Medicine), National University of Ireland
1983-1984 Internship, University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
1984-1987 Resident in Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
1987-1990 Resident in Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
1990-1991 Senior Staff Fellow, Neurobiology Unit, NIH/NIA
Professional Experience:
1991- Full-time Staff Neurologist, Johns Hopkins
1992-1999 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins
1993-2001 Director, Acute Stroke Service,
1994- Associate Director, Sleep Disorders Center
1994-1999 Co-Director, Neurosciences Critical Care Unit
1996-2000 Director, Neurovascular Ultrasound Lab
1999-2008 Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins
Centers and Institutes
Clinical Trial Keywords
Restless; Daytime Drowsiness; Restless Legs Syndrome
Videos
Research Interests
Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep
Selected Publications
1. Silver N, Allen RP, Senerth J, Earley CJ. A 10-year, longitudinal assessment of dopamine agonists and methadone in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. Sleep Medicine. 2011 12(5):440-4.
2. Winkelmann J, Czamara D, Schormair B, Knauf F, Schulte EC, Trenkwalder C, et al. Genome-Wide Association study identifies novel restless legs syndrome susceptibility loci on 2p14 and 16q12.1. PLoS Genet. 2011;7(7):e1002171.
3. Edwards RR, Quartana PJ, Allen RP, Greenbaum S, Earley CJ, Smith MT. Alterations in pain responses in treated and untreated patients with restless legs syndrome: Associations with sleep disruption. Sleep Medicine. 2011;12(6):603-9.
4. Earley CJ, Kuwabara H, Wong DF, Gamaldo C, Salas R, Brasic J, et al. The dopamine transporter is decreased in the striatum of subjects with restless legs syndrome. Sleep. 2011;34(3):341-7. PMCID: 3041710.
5. Connor JR, Ponnuru P, Wang X-S, Patton SM, Allen RP, Earley CJ. Profile of altered brain iron acquisition in restless legs syndrome. Brain. 2011;134(4):959-68. PMCID: 3069701.
6. Connor JR, Ponnuru P, Lee B-Y, Podskalny GD, Alam S, Allen RP, et al. Postmortem and imaging based analyses reveal CNS decreased myelination in restless legs syndrome. Sleep Medicine. 2011;12(6):614-19.
7. Quiroz C, Pearson V, Gulyani S, Allen R, Earley C, Ferre S. Up-regulation of striatal adenosine A(2A) receptors with iron deficiency in rats: effects on locomotion and cortico-striatal neurotransmission. Exp Neurol. 2010;224(1):292-8. PMCID: 2885550.
8. Pantaleo NP, Hening WA, Allen RP, Earley CJ. Pregnancy accounts for most of the gender difference in prevalence of familial RLS. Sleep Med. 2010;11:310-3. PMCID: 2830334.
9. Earley CJ, Silber MH. Restless legs syndrome: Understanding its consequences and the need for better treatment. Sleep Medicine. 2010;11(9):807-15.
10. Xiong L, Catoire H, Dion P, Gaspar C, Lafreniere RG, Girard SL, et al. MEIS1 intronic risk haplotype associated with restless legs syndrome affects its mRNA and protein expression levels. Hum Mol Genet. 2009;18(6):1065-74. PMCID: 2722232.
11. Unger EL, Earley CJ, Beard JL. Diurnal cycle influences peripheral and brain iron levels in mice. J Appl Physiol. 2009;106:187-93. PMCID: 2636939.
12. Snyder AM, Wang X, Patton SM, Arosio P, Levi S, Earley CJ, et al. Mitochondrial ferritin in the substantia nigra in restless legs syndrome. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2009;68(11):1193-9. PMCID: 3024883.
13. Salas RE, Gamaldo CE, Allen RP, Earley CJ. Quiescegenic nocturnal dyskinesia: A restless legs syndrome (RLS) variant or a new syndrome? Sleep Med. 2009;10:396-7.
14. Hening WA, Allen RP, Washburn M, Lesage SR, Earley CJ. The four diagnostic criteria for Restless Legs Syndrome are unable to exclude confounding conditions ("mimics"). Sleep Medicine. 2009;10(9):976-81. PMCID: 2766267.
15. Gulyani S, Earley CJ, Camandola S, Maudsley S, Ferr S, Mughal MR, et al. Diminished iron concentrations increase adenosine A2A receptor levels in mouse striatum and cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Experimental Neurology. 2009;215(2):236-42. PMCID: 2784599.
16. Gamaldo C, Benbrook AR, Allen RP, Oguntimein O, Earley CJ. Evaluating daytime alertness in individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) compared to sleep restricted controls. Sleep Medicine. 2009;10(1):134-8. PMCID: 2650846.
17. Earley CJ, Horska A, Mohamed MA, Barker PB, Beard JL, Allen RP. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous iron sucrose in restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med. 2009;10(2):206-11. PMCID: 2703581.
18. Earley CJ, Allen RP, Connor JR, Ferrucci L, Troncoso J. The dopaminergic neurons of the A11 system in RLS autopsy brains appear normal. Sleep Med. 2009;10(10):1155-7. PMCID: 2783651.
19. Earley CJ. The importance of oral iron therapy in restless legs syndrome. Sleep Medicine. 2009;10(9):945-6.
20. Connor JR, Wang XS, Allen RP, Beard JL, Wiesinger JA, Felt BT, et al. Altered dopaminergic profile in the putamen and substantia nigra in restless leg syndrome. Brain. 2009;132(Sep):2403-12. PMCID: 2732265.
21. Hening WA, Allen RP, Washburn M, Lesage S, Earley CJ. Validation of the Hopkins telephone diagnostic interview for restless legs syndrome. Sleep Medicine. 2008;9(3):283-9.
22. Gamaldo CE, Benbrook AR, Allen RP, Oguntimein O, Earley CJ. A further evaluation of the cognitive deficits associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Sleep Medicine. 2008;9(5):500-5. PMCID: 2532669.
23. Earley CJ, Ponnuru P, Wang X, Patton SM, Conner JR, Beard JL, et al. Altered iron metabolism in lymphocytes from subjects with restless legs syndrome. Sleep. 2008;31(6):847-52. PMCID: 2442411.
24. Cho YW, Shin WC, Yun CH, Hong SB, Kim JH, Allen RP, et al. Epidemiology of restless legs syndrome in Korean adults. Sleep. 2008;31(2):219-23. PMCID: 2225579.
25. Gamaldo CE, Benbrook AR, Allen RP, Scott JA, Henning WA, Earley CJ. Childhood and adult factors associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) diagnosis. Sleep Medicine. 2007;8(7-8):716-22.
26. Pearson VE, Allen RP, Dean T, Gamaldo CE, Lesage SR, Earley CJ. Cognitive deficits associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Sleep Med. 2006;7(1):25-30.
27. Earley CJ, Hyland K, Allen RP. Circadian changes in CSF dopaminergic measures in restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med. 2006;7(3):263-8.
28. Earley CJ, Barker PB, Horska A, Allen RP. MRI-determined regional brain iron concentrations in early- and late-onset restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med. 2006;7:458-61.
29. Earley CJ, Allen RP. Restless legs syndrome augmentation associated with tramadol. Sleep Med. 2006;7(7):592-3.
30. Earley CJ, Heckler D, Allen RP. Repeated IV doses of iron provides effective supplemental treatment of restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med. 2005;6(4):301-5.
31. Earley CJ, Connor JR, Beard JL, Clardy SL, Allen RP. Ferritin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and restless legs syndrome: effects of different clinical phenotypes. Sleep. 2005;28(9):1069-75.
32. Earley CJ, Heckler D, Allen RP. The treatment of restless legs syndrome with intravenous iron dextran. Sleep Med. 2004;5(3):231-5.
33. Earley CJ. Clinical practice. Restless legs syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2003;348(21):2103-9.
34. Allen RP, La Buda MC, Becker P, Earley CJ. Family history study of the restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med. 2002;3(Suppl):S3-7.
35. Earley CJ, Hyland K, Allen RP. CSF dopamine, serotonin, and biopterin metabolites in patients with restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord. 2001;16(1):144-9.
36. Allen RP, Barker PB, Wehrl F, Song HK, Earley CJ. MRI measurement of brain iron in patients with restless legs syndrome. Neurology. 2001;56(2):263-5.
37. Earley CJ, Connor JR, Beard JL, Malecki EA, Epstein DK, Allen RP. Abnormalities in CSF concentrations of ferritin and transferrin in restless legs syndrome. Neurology. 2000;54(8):1698-700.
38. Earley CJ, Yaffee JB, Allen RP. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pergolide in restless legs syndrome. Neurology. 1998;51(6):1599-602.
39. Allen RP, Earley CJ. Augmentation of the restless legs syndrome with carbidopa/levodopa. Sleep. 1996;19(3):205-13.
Honors
- Elected, Fellow, Royal College of Physician, Ireland (FRCP(I)) in recognition of my work in Restless Legs Syndrome, 10/1/07
- Sleep Science Award which is given in recognition of outstanding achievements in Sleep Science Research, AAN, 4/1/07
Memberships
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Fellow
- Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, Member
- Scientific Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, Member
- Sleep Research Society, Member
- Society of Neuroscience, Member
- World Association of Sleep Medicine, Member
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Allergy & Asthma Center, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224
- phone: 410-550-0571
- fax: 410-367-2710
Expertise
Education
National Institutes of Health
Fellowship, 1991University of Virginia School of Medicine
Residency, Neurology, 1990Baylor College of Medicine
Residency, Internal Medicine, 1987University College Hospital
Medical Education, MBBCh PhD, 1983Board Certifications
Neurology
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 1993Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, 1987Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
5 out of 5
144 ratings, 73 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/23/2025
Dr. Earley is the most compassionate and caring provider I have EVER had or encountered in all my years. He went ABOVE and BEYOND to accommodate my schedule. Thank you Dr. Earley! You are a gift to mankind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/23/2025
Very friendly and excellent treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2025
Dr. Earley is a great physician!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2025
Dr. Earley healed a condition that was severely affecting my life. I am so very grateful for his treatment of my RLS.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2025
EXCELLENT
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2024
Very patient great listener and gave great encouragement also medical advice
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
Excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
Rx renewal through my chart works well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/10/2024
Very detailed, discovered an issue with a med I was taken, instructed me how to better take the med
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/14/2024
I have seen him for several years now and I trust him completely and I have come to feel comfortable with him over this time.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/14/2024
Have gone to dr Early for many, many years.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/14/2024
Dr Early is a very good listener. He familiarizes himself with my case before he enters the room. He does not look at his computer but rather at you and attentively listens to you. He takes handwritten notes and is truly 100% there for you. I tell him every to ever
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2024
Excellent and knowledgeable physician. Appreciate his work FOR RLS Foundation.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2024
Dr. Earley if a very courteous and friendly gentleman.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2024
He was compassionate and generally concerned about sleep issues. I had been found to have no further sleep apnea, but he said if further issues developed, he was there for me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2024
Dr. Earley is the best ever!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2024
Dr. Earley has always listened, and asked pertinent questions, he has taken time to discuss symptoms, causes, medications, has been very attentive to all facets of the visit - could not attended the concerns more satisfactorily.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/31/2024
Dr Earley is the top provider for RLS. I am fortunate to be his patient.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/31/2024
Dr. Earley is a World Class leader in RLS mecidine and I am very lucky and pleased to have Dr. Earley as my RLS doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/31/2024
Dr Earley is a very considerate doctor. He never rushes me through our appointment. He makes sure everything about my care is covered. Always a pleasant experience!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/29/2024
Dr. Earley is the best!! I can't imagine dealing with Restless Legs without him. And I appreciate that he is always on schedule.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2024
Dr. Earley was timely, professional, listened carefully, and offered insightful and helpful suggestions and feedback. I felt like he took my problems seriously and was committed to helping me with them.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2024
Dr. Earley is amazing. He, himself, gave me an appointment time after messaging him on My Chart. However, the person I was supposed to contact never answered the phone nor did she call me back. After my appointment the person at the checkin desk gave me the direct number to them.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/15/2024
Dr. Earley is the best. He is always on time and gives undivided attention to me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/10/2024
Listens carefully. Helped with serious problem with C-pap.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/10/2024
Excellent doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2024
Best doctor ever
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2024
He is very comfortable to talk to and he listens..
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
Dr. Earley is very concerned and explains everything.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
The provider was thorough and provide easy to understand explanations.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/29/2024
I've been seeing Dr Earley for 10 years and he has always listened to my concerns. He coordinated my care through a major medication change. And has been supportive and encouraging at all times.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2024
Very thorough.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2024
Alway answers questions and explains everything to you
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Dr. Earley is a major asset for Johns Hopkins.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Dr Earley is always on time, and seems genuinely concerned for me as a patient.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2024
Doctor Earley is a wonderful, caring, listening provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/25/2024
Dr. Earley is amazing. I travel every year from Connecticut to see him in person. He is everything one would want in a physician, which is quite rare today unfortunately.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/23/2024
Dr Earley extremely noticeable about the subject of my condition. Explains things in depth and always asks me if I have questions. He spends time with me and never rushes me. Very grateful for the care he gives me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/18/2024
Excellent job. Spot on.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/18/2024
Dr. Earley is a true professional doctor in his field-
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
The best.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/27/2024
Dr. Earley is very knowledgeable about my type of condition and therefore always gives good explanations about the type of care and medications I should have.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2024
Dr. Earley is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/25/2024
Very knowledgeable about my problem.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/20/2024
Easy to speak to. Concerned about my well being.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/20/2024
Dr. Earley is a superb Clinician. He was thorough in explaining the nature of my Sleep Disorder and the various options for treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/20/2024
The best. Solved my RLS problem. Very grateful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/18/2024
Always listens to my questions and provides appropriate answers making sure I understand.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/18/2024
He's always very knowledgeable, explains everything in detail, ensures I'm obtaining my prescription, and asks if I have any questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/23/2024
Dr. Earley focused his full attention on me during my visit. He asked pertinent questions, listened carefully to my answers, and answered my numerous questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2024
Dr Earley is Amazing! He knows so much about my narcolepsy and the medication I need to keep my life in order.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2024
Have been dealing with RLS though Dr. Earley for about 20 years. As a good program of management.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/16/2024
Dr. Earley is the best! It takes time to answer all your questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/16/2024
Dr. Earley scheduled this visit out of our regular cycle owing to exacerbation of symptoms.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/14/2024
Great care and explains everything so I understand
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/2/2024
Excellent, top-of-line treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/25/2024
This is an excellent doctor in the field of Restless Leg Syndrome, and he has helped get me get off the wrong drugs I have been taken for almost 20 by another provider in the same department at Johns Hopkins, and onto the correct drugs. After 20 some-odd years of sleepless nights and torturous leg movements, Dr. Earley has me sleeping through the night and -so far - has mitigated my RLS symptoms.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/25/2024
Dr. Earley is a compassionate, personable doctor with an amazing bedside manner. He listens intently and asks as many questions as needed to thoroughly understand all my symptoms and concerns. He explains what he thinks is going on and what can be done about It and what the plan will be. When I feel as there is nothing to be done, he always gives me hope.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/23/2024
Dr Early is always very professional and very caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/18/2024
Dr Earley is has wonderful interactive skills along with being an international expert. I'm fortunate to have him manage my sleep-disorders.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/11/2024
Intelligence,Pleasant, Professional, and understanding
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/4/2024
Dr. Earley is the best. He listens, he's empathetic, he's collaborative, he's practical, and he genuinely wants to help his patients. Truly one of a kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/26/2024
Dr. Earley is an A++ provider. He answers 100% of my questions to his best ability and is genuine in his concerns.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/21/2024
Dr Earley is clearly an expert in his field and understands all of the ramifications with having restless leg syndrome. I don't know what I would be doing now if I did not have him for the care he provides. No other physician understands this condition.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/19/2024
Dr. Earley is an exceptional provider. He is the best provider I have ever seen. He listens! He cares! Dr. Earley is very knowledgeable about RLS and narcolepsy. Dr. Earley is patient, thorough and kind.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2024
Dr. Earley was, as always, caring & knowledgeable about my condition..He also gave me great advice about another condition that was aggravating the condition for which I was seeing him. He showed interest when I asked questions and never made me feel as if I was a burden on his time.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/29/2024
Dr. Earley is the epitome of an excellent doctor. He is always running on time and yet you never feel rushed He demonstrates such a high level of care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/22/2024
Dr. Earley is patient, kind and very understanding.