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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
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MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
Association between restless legs syndrome and essential tremor
1Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Summary
Essential tremor (ET) patients frequently have undiagnosed restless legs syndrome (RLS). A family history of RLS strongly predicts its presence in ET patients, suggesting shared genetic factors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Essential tremor (ET) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are common neurological disorders.
- Clinical observations suggested a potential link between ET and RLS in affected families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of RLS in patients with ET.
- To examine the presence of tremor in patients with RLS.
- To explore potential shared genetic factors between ET and RLS.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 100 ET patients for RLS criteria.
- Prospective examination of 68 RLS patients for tremor.
- Analysis of family history for both ET and RLS.
Main Results:
- 33% of ET patients met RLS criteria, with 25 previously undiagnosed.
- A family history of RLS was the sole significant predictor of RLS in ET patients (57.6%).
- Trace tremor was common in RLS patients, though overt pathological tremor was rare.
Conclusions:
- A high rate of undiagnosed RLS exists in ET patients.
- The strong familial association suggests shared genetic underpinnings between ET and RLS.
- Further research into the genetic relationship between these conditions is warranted.
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