Essential (hereditary or senile) tremor

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Essential tremor is a common neurological disorder.
• It is characterized by involuntary rhythmic shaking, often in the hands.
• The condition can be hereditary or develop later in life (senile tremor).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical characteristics of essential tremor.
• To investigate the familial occurrence and presentation of essential tremor.
• To explore potential therapeutic options for essential tremor.

Main Methods:

• A series of sixteen cases of essential tremor were collected over two years.
• Patient history, tremor characteristics, and familial links were documented.
• Clinical observations included tremor presentation, affected body parts, and response to stimuli.

Main Results:

• Ten out of sixteen patients had a family history of essential tremor.
• The tremor primarily affected the upper limbs, appearing during movement and exacerbated by emotion.
• Head, neck, and leg tremors were observed in a subset of patients.
• Alcohol temporarily reduced tremor severity in some individuals.
• One patient exhibited neurological abnormalities possibly linked to cerebral arteriosclerosis.

Conclusions:

• Essential tremor frequently has a hereditary component.
• The tremor's kinetic nature and emotional exacerbation are key features.
• While many cases do not require treatment, propranolol shows potential therapeutic benefit for some patients.