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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
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MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
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Essential tremor: a neurodegenerative disease?
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain ; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain ; Department of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements (New York, N.Y.)
|August 15, 2014
Summary
Essential tremor (ET) is increasingly recognized as a progressive neurodegenerative condition, not just a benign disorder. Research indicates neuronal loss and structural brain changes in patients, suggesting a need for further study.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Essential tremor (ET) is a common adult neurological disorder, traditionally viewed as benign.
- Emerging evidence suggests ET is a progressive, heterogeneous condition with motor and non-motor features.
- Recent research milestones indicate ET may be a neurodegenerative disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging research suggesting Essential Tremor (ET) is a neurodegenerative condition.
- To highlight key findings supporting the reclassification of ET.
Main Methods:
- A targeted PubMed search using "essential tremor" and "neurodegenerative" terms.
- Inclusion of relevant articles from author's files.
Main Results:
- Post-mortem studies reveal neuronal loss (e.g., Purkinje cells) and changes similar to other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Advanced neuroimaging demonstrates structural brain changes in ET patients consistent with neuronal loss.
- Active medical debate exists regarding ET's classification as a neurodegenerative disease.
Conclusions:
- Substantial evidence supports ET as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of aging.
- Neuronal loss and distinct structural changes are observed in ET.
- Further longitudinal clinical and neuroimaging studies are necessary to confirm progression.
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