Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Neurological Sciences 4/2016

01-04-2016 | Review Article

Review on clinical update of essential tremor

Authors: Wei Chunling, Xiao Zheng

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 4/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Essential tremor (ET) is considered a benign disease without any pathological changes. Nevertheless, this point of view has recently been challenged. In recent years, studies have shown that ET occurs with other non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive deficits, depression, anxiety, balance disorder, hearing impairment, olfactory dysfunction and sleep problems. Advancements in neuroimaging have revealed widespread alterations in the brain, and cerebellar involvement was the most consistent finding. In addition, studies have also shown that ET patients might experience poor quality of life, reflecting motor or non-motor symptoms. Both pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacotherapy have recently been suggested for the treatment of ET. This review briefly describes the current information on ET, including the non-movement symptoms, neuroimaging findings, the impact on daily life and ET therapy.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Lacerte A et al (2014) Increased prevalence of non-motor symptoms in essential tremor. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 4:162 Lacerte A et al (2014) Increased prevalence of non-motor symptoms in essential tremor. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 4:162
2.
go back to reference Bhalsing KS, Saini J, Pal PK (2013) Understanding the pathophysiology of essential tremor through advanced neuroimaging: a review. J Neurol Sci 335(1–2):9–13CrossRefPubMed Bhalsing KS, Saini J, Pal PK (2013) Understanding the pathophysiology of essential tremor through advanced neuroimaging: a review. J Neurol Sci 335(1–2):9–13CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Bermejo-Pareja F, Puertas-Martin V (2012) Cognitive features of essential tremor: a review of the clinical aspects and possible mechanistic underpinnings. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2 Bermejo-Pareja F, Puertas-Martin V (2012) Cognitive features of essential tremor: a review of the clinical aspects and possible mechanistic underpinnings. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2
5.
6.
go back to reference Gasparini M et al (2001) Frontal lobe dysfunction in essential tremor: a preliminary study. J Neurol 248(5):399–402CrossRefPubMed Gasparini M et al (2001) Frontal lobe dysfunction in essential tremor: a preliminary study. J Neurol 248(5):399–402CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Sinoff G, Badarny S (2014) Mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and affective disorders in essential tremor: a prospective study. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 4:227 Sinoff G, Badarny S (2014) Mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and affective disorders in essential tremor: a prospective study. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 4:227
8.
go back to reference Bhalsing KS et al (2015) White matter correlates of cognitive impairment in essential tremor. Am J Neuroradiol 36(3):448–453CrossRefPubMed Bhalsing KS et al (2015) White matter correlates of cognitive impairment in essential tremor. Am J Neuroradiol 36(3):448–453CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Lombardi WJ et al (2001) Cognitive deficits in patients with essential tremor. Neurology 57(5):785–790CrossRefPubMed Lombardi WJ et al (2001) Cognitive deficits in patients with essential tremor. Neurology 57(5):785–790CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Benito-Leon J, Louis ED, Bermejo-Pareja F (2006) Elderly-onset essential tremor is associated with dementia. Neurology 66(10):1500–1505CrossRefPubMed Benito-Leon J, Louis ED, Bermejo-Pareja F (2006) Elderly-onset essential tremor is associated with dementia. Neurology 66(10):1500–1505CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Thawani SP, Schupf N, Louis ED (2009) Essential tremor is associated with dementia: prospective population-based study in New York. Neurology 73(8):621–625CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Thawani SP, Schupf N, Louis ED (2009) Essential tremor is associated with dementia: prospective population-based study in New York. Neurology 73(8):621–625CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
go back to reference Schneck CD, Buzan RD (2000) Mood disorders in neurologic illness. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2(2):151–168CrossRefPubMed Schneck CD, Buzan RD (2000) Mood disorders in neurologic illness. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2(2):151–168CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Fabbrini G et al (2012) Psychiatric disorders in patients with essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 18(8):971–973CrossRefPubMed Fabbrini G et al (2012) Psychiatric disorders in patients with essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 18(8):971–973CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Louis ED, Benito-Leon J, Bermejo-Pareja F (2007) Self-reported depression and anti-depressant medication use in essential tremor: cross-sectional and prospective analyses in a population-based study. Eur J Neurol 14(10):1138–1146CrossRefPubMed Louis ED, Benito-Leon J, Bermejo-Pareja F (2007) Self-reported depression and anti-depressant medication use in essential tremor: cross-sectional and prospective analyses in a population-based study. Eur J Neurol 14(10):1138–1146CrossRefPubMed
16.
17.
go back to reference Dogu O et al (2005) Clinical characteristics of essential tremor in Mersin, Turkey–a population-based door-to-door study. J Neurol 252(5):570–574CrossRefPubMed Dogu O et al (2005) Clinical characteristics of essential tremor in Mersin, Turkey–a population-based door-to-door study. J Neurol 252(5):570–574CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Li ZW et al (2011) Characteristics of depressive symptoms in essential tremor. J Clin Neurosci 18(1):52–56CrossRefPubMed Li ZW et al (2011) Characteristics of depressive symptoms in essential tremor. J Clin Neurosci 18(1):52–56CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Miller KM et al (2007) Depression symptoms in movement disorders: comparing Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor. Mov Disord 22(5):666–672CrossRefPubMed Miller KM et al (2007) Depression symptoms in movement disorders: comparing Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor. Mov Disord 22(5):666–672CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Jhunjhunwala K, Pal PK (2014) The non-motor features of essential tremor: a primary disease feature or just a secondary phenomenon? Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 4:255 Jhunjhunwala K, Pal PK (2014) The non-motor features of essential tremor: a primary disease feature or just a secondary phenomenon? Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 4:255
21.
go back to reference Sengul Y et al (2015) Cognitive functions, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances: assessment of nonmotor features in young patients with essential tremor. Acta Neurol Belg 115:281–287CrossRefPubMed Sengul Y et al (2015) Cognitive functions, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances: assessment of nonmotor features in young patients with essential tremor. Acta Neurol Belg 115:281–287CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Louis ED, Rios E, Rao AK (2010) Tandem gait performance in essential tremor: clinical correlates and association with midline tremors. Mov Disord 25(11):1633–1638CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Louis ED, Rios E, Rao AK (2010) Tandem gait performance in essential tremor: clinical correlates and association with midline tremors. Mov Disord 25(11):1633–1638CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
go back to reference Roemmich RT et al (2013) Gait variability magnitude but not structure is altered in essential tremor. J Biomech 46(15):2682–2687CrossRefPubMed Roemmich RT et al (2013) Gait variability magnitude but not structure is altered in essential tremor. J Biomech 46(15):2682–2687CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Louis ED, Rao AK, Gerbin M (2012) Functional correlates of gait and balance difficulty in essential tremor: balance confidence, near misses and falls. Gait Posture 35(1):43–47CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Louis ED, Rao AK, Gerbin M (2012) Functional correlates of gait and balance difficulty in essential tremor: balance confidence, near misses and falls. Gait Posture 35(1):43–47CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
26.
go back to reference Benito-Leon J et al (2007) Reported hearing impairment in essential tremor: a population-based case–control study. Neuroepidemiology 29(3–4):213–217CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Benito-Leon J et al (2007) Reported hearing impairment in essential tremor: a population-based case–control study. Neuroepidemiology 29(3–4):213–217CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
27.
28.
go back to reference Louis ED et al (2002) Olfactory dysfunction in essential tremor: a deficit unrelated to disease duration or severity. Neurology 59(10):1631–1633CrossRefPubMed Louis ED et al (2002) Olfactory dysfunction in essential tremor: a deficit unrelated to disease duration or severity. Neurology 59(10):1631–1633CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Applegate LM, Louis ED (2005) Essential tremor: mild olfactory dysfunction in a cerebellar disorder. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 11(6):399–402CrossRefPubMed Applegate LM, Louis ED (2005) Essential tremor: mild olfactory dysfunction in a cerebellar disorder. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 11(6):399–402CrossRefPubMed
30.
31.
go back to reference Bagepally BS et al (2012) Decrease in cerebral and cerebellar gray matter in essential tremor: a voxel-based morphometric analysis under 3T MRI. J Neuroimaging 22(3):275–278CrossRefPubMed Bagepally BS et al (2012) Decrease in cerebral and cerebellar gray matter in essential tremor: a voxel-based morphometric analysis under 3T MRI. J Neuroimaging 22(3):275–278CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Benito-Leon J et al (2009) Brain structural changes in essential tremor: voxel-based morphometry at 3-Tesla. J Neurol Sci 287(1–2):138–142CrossRefPubMed Benito-Leon J et al (2009) Brain structural changes in essential tremor: voxel-based morphometry at 3-Tesla. J Neurol Sci 287(1–2):138–142CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Quattrone A et al (2008) Essential head tremor is associated with cerebellar vermis atrophy: a volumetric and voxel-based morphometry MR imaging study. Am J Neuroradiol 29(9):1692–1697CrossRefPubMed Quattrone A et al (2008) Essential head tremor is associated with cerebellar vermis atrophy: a volumetric and voxel-based morphometry MR imaging study. Am J Neuroradiol 29(9):1692–1697CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Martinelli P et al (2007) Diffusion-weighted imaging study of patients with essential tremor. Mov Disord 22(8):1182–1185CrossRefPubMed Martinelli P et al (2007) Diffusion-weighted imaging study of patients with essential tremor. Mov Disord 22(8):1182–1185CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Nicoletti G et al (2010) Diffusion tensor MRI changes in cerebellar structures of patients with familial essential tremor. Neurology 74(12):988–994CrossRefPubMed Nicoletti G et al (2010) Diffusion tensor MRI changes in cerebellar structures of patients with familial essential tremor. Neurology 74(12):988–994CrossRefPubMed
36.
go back to reference Saini J et al (2012) Diffusion tensor imaging: tract based spatial statistics study in essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 18(5):477–482CrossRefPubMed Saini J et al (2012) Diffusion tensor imaging: tract based spatial statistics study in essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 18(5):477–482CrossRefPubMed
37.
go back to reference Shin DH et al (2008) Diffusion tensor imaging in patients with essential tremor. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 29(1):151–153CrossRefPubMed Shin DH et al (2008) Diffusion tensor imaging in patients with essential tremor. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 29(1):151–153CrossRefPubMed
38.
go back to reference Louis ED et al (2002) Metabolic abnormality in the cerebellum in patients with essential tremor: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging study. Neurosci Lett 333(1):17–20CrossRefPubMed Louis ED et al (2002) Metabolic abnormality in the cerebellum in patients with essential tremor: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging study. Neurosci Lett 333(1):17–20CrossRefPubMed
39.
go back to reference Pagan FL et al (2003) Evaluation of essential tremor with multi-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neurology 60(8):1344–1347CrossRefPubMed Pagan FL et al (2003) Evaluation of essential tremor with multi-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neurology 60(8):1344–1347CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Kendi AT et al (2005) Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the thalamus in essential tremor patients. J Neuroimaging 15(4):362–366CrossRefPubMed Kendi AT et al (2005) Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the thalamus in essential tremor patients. J Neuroimaging 15(4):362–366CrossRefPubMed
41.
go back to reference Novellino F et al (2013) Brain iron deposition in essential tremor: a quantitative 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging study. Mov Disord 28(2):196–200CrossRefPubMed Novellino F et al (2013) Brain iron deposition in essential tremor: a quantitative 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging study. Mov Disord 28(2):196–200CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Contarino MF et al (2012) Is there a role for combined EMG-fMRI in exploring the pathophysiology of essential tremor and improving functional neurosurgery? PLoS One 7(10):e46234CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Contarino MF et al (2012) Is there a role for combined EMG-fMRI in exploring the pathophysiology of essential tremor and improving functional neurosurgery? PLoS One 7(10):e46234CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
43.
go back to reference Passamonti L et al (2011) Altered cortical-cerebellar circuits during verbal working memory in essential tremor. Brain 134(Pt 8):2274–2286CrossRefPubMed Passamonti L et al (2011) Altered cortical-cerebellar circuits during verbal working memory in essential tremor. Brain 134(Pt 8):2274–2286CrossRefPubMed
44.
go back to reference Colebatch JG et al (1990) Preliminary report: activation of the cerebellum in essential tremor. Lancet 336(8722):1028–1030CrossRefPubMed Colebatch JG et al (1990) Preliminary report: activation of the cerebellum in essential tremor. Lancet 336(8722):1028–1030CrossRefPubMed
45.
go back to reference Boecker H et al (1996) The effect of ethanol on alcohol-responsive essential tremor: a positron emission tomography study. Ann Neurol 39(5):650–658CrossRefPubMed Boecker H et al (1996) The effect of ethanol on alcohol-responsive essential tremor: a positron emission tomography study. Ann Neurol 39(5):650–658CrossRefPubMed
46.
go back to reference Hallett M, Dubinsky RM (1993) Glucose metabolism in the brain of patients with essential tremor. J Neurol Sci 114(1):45–48CrossRefPubMed Hallett M, Dubinsky RM (1993) Glucose metabolism in the brain of patients with essential tremor. J Neurol Sci 114(1):45–48CrossRefPubMed
47.
go back to reference Czarnecki K et al (2011) SPECT perfusion patterns distinguish psychogenic from essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 17(5):328–332CrossRefPubMed Czarnecki K et al (2011) SPECT perfusion patterns distinguish psychogenic from essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 17(5):328–332CrossRefPubMed
49.
go back to reference Louis ED et al (2012) Depressive traits in essential tremor: impact on disability, quality of life, and medication adherence. Eur J Neurol 19(10):1349–1354CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Louis ED et al (2012) Depressive traits in essential tremor: impact on disability, quality of life, and medication adherence. Eur J Neurol 19(10):1349–1354CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
50.
go back to reference Louis ED et al (2001) Correlates of functional disability in essential tremor. Mov Disord 16(5):914–920CrossRefPubMed Louis ED et al (2001) Correlates of functional disability in essential tremor. Mov Disord 16(5):914–920CrossRefPubMed
51.
go back to reference Woods SP et al (2008) Executive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms predict lower health status in essential tremor. Cogn Behav Neurol 21(1):28–33CrossRefPubMed Woods SP et al (2008) Executive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms predict lower health status in essential tremor. Cogn Behav Neurol 21(1):28–33CrossRefPubMed
52.
go back to reference Lorenz D et al (2011) The psychosocial burden of essential tremor in an outpatient- and a community-based cohort. Eur J Neurol 18(7):972–979CrossRefPubMed Lorenz D et al (2011) The psychosocial burden of essential tremor in an outpatient- and a community-based cohort. Eur J Neurol 18(7):972–979CrossRefPubMed
53.
go back to reference Chandran V, Pal PK (2013) Quality of life and its determinants in essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 19(1):62–65CrossRefPubMed Chandran V, Pal PK (2013) Quality of life and its determinants in essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 19(1):62–65CrossRefPubMed
54.
go back to reference Rao AK, Gilman A, Louis ED (2014) Balance confidence and falls in nondemented essential tremor patients: the role of cognition. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 95(10):1832–1837CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Rao AK, Gilman A, Louis ED (2014) Balance confidence and falls in nondemented essential tremor patients: the role of cognition. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 95(10):1832–1837CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
55.
go back to reference Louis ED et al (2008) Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale in essential tremor: a population-based study in three Spanish communities. Mov Disord 23(10):1435–1440CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Louis ED et al (2008) Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale in essential tremor: a population-based study in three Spanish communities. Mov Disord 23(10):1435–1440CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
58.
go back to reference Jankovic J et al (1996) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate botulinum toxin type A in essential hand tremor. Mov Disord 11(3):250–256CrossRefPubMed Jankovic J et al (1996) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate botulinum toxin type A in essential hand tremor. Mov Disord 11(3):250–256CrossRefPubMed
59.
go back to reference Hertegard S, Granqvist S, Lindestad PA (2000) Botulinum toxin injections for essential voice tremor. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 109(2):204–209CrossRefPubMed Hertegard S, Granqvist S, Lindestad PA (2000) Botulinum toxin injections for essential voice tremor. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 109(2):204–209CrossRefPubMed
60.
61.
62.
63.
go back to reference Shill HA et al (2004) Open-label dose-escalation study of oral 1-octanol in patients with essential tremor. Neurology 62(12):2320–2322CrossRefPubMed Shill HA et al (2004) Open-label dose-escalation study of oral 1-octanol in patients with essential tremor. Neurology 62(12):2320–2322CrossRefPubMed
64.
go back to reference Rajput AH et al (1975) Relative efficacy of alcohol and propranolol in action tremor. Can J Neurol Sci 2(1):31–35PubMed Rajput AH et al (1975) Relative efficacy of alcohol and propranolol in action tremor. Can J Neurol Sci 2(1):31–35PubMed
65.
go back to reference Mostile G, Jankovic J (2010) Alcohol in essential tremor and other movement disorders. Mov Disord 25(14):2274–2284CrossRefPubMed Mostile G, Jankovic J (2010) Alcohol in essential tremor and other movement disorders. Mov Disord 25(14):2274–2284CrossRefPubMed
66.
go back to reference Chen XL et al (2012) Deep brain stimulation. Interv Neurology 1(3–4):200–212CrossRef Chen XL et al (2012) Deep brain stimulation. Interv Neurology 1(3–4):200–212CrossRef
67.
go back to reference Pedrosa DJ et al (2014) Verbal fluency in essential tremor patients: the effects of deep brain stimulation. Brain Stimul 7(3):359–364CrossRefPubMed Pedrosa DJ et al (2014) Verbal fluency in essential tremor patients: the effects of deep brain stimulation. Brain Stimul 7(3):359–364CrossRefPubMed
68.
go back to reference Zappia M et al (2013) Treatment of essential tremor: a systematic review of evidence and recommendations from the Italian Movement Disorders Association. J Neurol 260(3):714–740CrossRefPubMed Zappia M et al (2013) Treatment of essential tremor: a systematic review of evidence and recommendations from the Italian Movement Disorders Association. J Neurol 260(3):714–740CrossRefPubMed
69.
go back to reference Kumar R et al (2003) Long-term follow-up of thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential and parkinsonian tremor. Neurology 61(11):1601–1604CrossRefPubMed Kumar R et al (2003) Long-term follow-up of thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential and parkinsonian tremor. Neurology 61(11):1601–1604CrossRefPubMed
70.
go back to reference Baizabal-Carvallo JF et al (2014) The safety and efficacy of thalamic deep brain stimulation in essential tremor: 10 years and beyond. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 85(5):567–572CrossRefPubMed Baizabal-Carvallo JF et al (2014) The safety and efficacy of thalamic deep brain stimulation in essential tremor: 10 years and beyond. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 85(5):567–572CrossRefPubMed
71.
go back to reference Chen R (2012) Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for essential tremor? Clin Neurophysiol 123(5):850–851CrossRefPubMed Chen R (2012) Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for essential tremor? Clin Neurophysiol 123(5):850–851CrossRefPubMed
72.
go back to reference Gironell A et al (2002) Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cerebellum in essential tremor: a controlled study. Arch Neurol 59(3):413–417CrossRefPubMed Gironell A et al (2002) Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cerebellum in essential tremor: a controlled study. Arch Neurol 59(3):413–417CrossRefPubMed
73.
go back to reference Popa T et al (2013) Cerebellar rTMS stimulation may induce prolonged clinical benefits in essential tremor, and subjacent changes in functional connectivity: an open label trial. Brain Stimul 6(2):175–179CrossRefPubMed Popa T et al (2013) Cerebellar rTMS stimulation may induce prolonged clinical benefits in essential tremor, and subjacent changes in functional connectivity: an open label trial. Brain Stimul 6(2):175–179CrossRefPubMed
74.
go back to reference Bologna M et al (2014) Cerebellar continuous theta burst stimulation in essential tremor. Cerebellum 14(2):133–141CrossRef Bologna M et al (2014) Cerebellar continuous theta burst stimulation in essential tremor. Cerebellum 14(2):133–141CrossRef
75.
go back to reference Schuurman PR et al (2000) A comparison of continuous thalamic stimulation and thalamotomy for suppression of severe tremor. N Engl J Med 342(7):461–468CrossRefPubMed Schuurman PR et al (2000) A comparison of continuous thalamic stimulation and thalamotomy for suppression of severe tremor. N Engl J Med 342(7):461–468CrossRefPubMed
76.
go back to reference Ohye C et al (2002) Thalamic lesions produced by gamma thalamotomy for movement disorders. J Neurosurg 97(5 Suppl):600–606PubMed Ohye C et al (2002) Thalamic lesions produced by gamma thalamotomy for movement disorders. J Neurosurg 97(5 Suppl):600–606PubMed
Metadata
Title
Review on clinical update of essential tremor
Authors
Wei Chunling
Xiao Zheng
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-015-2380-1

Other articles of this Issue 4/2016

Neurological Sciences 4/2016 Go to the issue