FAQ's
What is the clinical difference between essential tremor and Parkinson's tremor?
Essential tremor is an action tremor during movement and posture. Parkinson’s tremor is a rest tremor with associated rigidity and bradykinesia two clinically distinct conditions.
Can essential tremor be treated with surgery?
Deep brain stimulation targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus achieves significant tremor reduction in medication-refractory essential tremor cases.
Does essential tremor lead to Parkinson's disease?
Essential tremor does not cause or convert to Parkinson’s disease. The two conditions have distinct pathological mechanisms, clinical features, and long-term prognoses.
What medications are used for essential tremor?
Propranolol and primidone are first-line medications achieving meaningful tremor reduction in approximately 50 to 60 percent of patients at adequate doses.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Neurological Diagnostic Tests and Procedures. NINDS, NIH.
- Louis ED, et al. Essential Tremor and its Distinction from Parkinson’s Disease. PubMed Central, NCBI.