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Associated movement disorders in orthostatic tremor
Tiago A Mestre1, Anthony E Lang, A E Lang
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. tmestre@uhnresearch.ca
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|May 12, 2012
Summary
Orthostatic tremor, a standing-induced tremor, often progresses and becomes disabling. This study found that orthostatic tremor-plus, when combined with other movement disorders, shares similar characteristics and outcomes to pure orthostatic tremor.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Orthostatic tremor is a rare, standing-exclusive tremor syndrome.
- It can occur in isolation (pure orthostatic tremor) or with other movement disorders (orthostatic tremor-plus).
Purpose of the Study:
- To expand knowledge on orthostatic tremor associated with other movement disorders.
- To compare characteristics and outcomes of pure orthostatic tremor and orthostatic tremor-plus.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case review of clinical and neurophysiological data.
- Analysis of patients diagnosed with orthostatic tremor.
Main Results:
- Orthostatic tremor-plus occurred in 30.8% of cases, associated with conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
- No significant differences were found between pure orthostatic tremor and orthostatic tremor-plus in demographics, presentation, neurophysiology, or treatment response.
- A majority (72%) experienced a progressive, disabling course refractory to medical therapy.
Conclusions:
- Presents one of the largest series on orthostatic tremor, focusing on associated movement disorders.
- Confirms a progressive and disabling course for orthostatic tremor, irrespective of associated conditions.
- Reports dementia with Lewy bodies and arm dystonia as newly associated movement disorders with orthostatic tremor.
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