Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
05:54
MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
Essential tremor is a neurodegenerative disease
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy. u.bonuccelli@med.unipi.it
Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)
|September 27, 2012
Summary
Essential tremor is a neurodegenerative disorder, not just a single symptom. Recent studies show brain changes, worsening symptoms, and no spontaneous recovery, supporting this view.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
Background:
- Essential tremor (ET) is frequently considered a monosymptomatic disorder.
- However, accumulating evidence suggests a complex underlying neurodegenerative process in ET.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence supporting the neurodegenerative nature of essential tremor.
- To consolidate findings from recent studies on ET's pathology and progression.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and studies on essential tremor.
- Analysis of anatomic, neuroimaging, and clinical progression data.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding the pathological basis of ET.
Main Results:
- Anatomic and neuroimaging data indicate pathological processes in the cerebellum and/or brainstem in ET patients.
- Clinical manifestations of ET show progression in severity correlating with disease duration.
- Essential tremor lacks spontaneous remission, further supporting a progressive nature.
Conclusions:
- Essential tremor is a neurodegenerative disorder with pathological involvement of the cerebellum and/or brainstem.
- The progressive nature of symptoms and lack of remission underscore the neurodegenerative basis of ET.
- Recent research consolidates the understanding of ET as a complex neurodegenerative condition.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
01:28Disorders of the Nervous Tissue
Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
01:12Alterations in Muscle Tone ll
Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...
01:21Huntington Disease l: Introduction
Huntington disease or HD is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.PathophysiologyIt is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the HTT gene on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), producing an abnormal huntingtin protein with an expanded polyglutamine tract. This misfolded protein disrupts cellular function, leading to neuronal death. Normal alleles have ≤26 repeats, 27–35 are intermediate (risk of expansion), 36–39 show reduced penetrance,...