Gabapentin for essential tremor: a multiple-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder that often becomes refractory to conventional pharmacologic management. Open-label studies suggest that gabapentin is efficacious for ET, but the results of controlled trials have been mixed. To determine the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin in ET, we conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial evaluating two doses (1800 mg per day and 3600 mg per day; N = 25). Patients on other ET medications were maintained on their concurrent medications for 3 months prior to study initiation and throughout the study. Twenty patients (mean age, 69.9 +/- 6.1 yrs) completed the study. Overall, patient global assessments (p <0.05), observed tremor scores (p <0.005), water pouring scores (p <0.05), and activities of daily living scores (p <0.005) significantly improved. Accelerometry scores, spirographs, and investigator global impression scores did not improve. The results were similar for high and low doses. Statistical regression models did not demonstrate any significant predictors for response. Gabapentin may be effective in some cases of ET.