Familial cortical tremor with epilepsy: an under-recognized familial tremor

The authors report three Japanese families presenting with cortical tremor and epilepsy. The patients showed either tremulous finger movements or seizures as the initial symptoms between 19 and 30 years of the age without progression. Postural tremor resembled essential tremor and responded to the anticonvulsants such as clonazepam, primidone and sodium valproate. Seizures were infrequent. These patients seem to have the same disorder as what the authors have described as 'familial cortical tremor with epilepsy'. Familial cortical tremor must be more common than previously thought and should be taken into consideration in the patients with 'familial essential tremor' who do not respond well to beta-blockers.