Published in:
01-11-2020 | ß-Blockers | Original Article
Features in essential tremor and the development of Parkinson’s disease vs. parkinsonism
Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 11/2020
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Background
Patients with essential tremor (ET) are at higher risk to develop Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent studies suggest that propranolol (common treatment for ET) can augment pathologic expression of alpha-synuclein. We studied features associated with the development of Parkinson's disease with antecedant essential tremor (ET-PD) compared with ET-plus with parkinsonism (PK).
Design
Retrospective case series from a tertiary movement disorders center including patients with ET and PD, found to have ET-PD or ET-plus (PK).
Results
We analyzed two groups: (1) ET-plus (PK) (n = 33) and (2) ET-PD (n = 35). Constipation and anosmia were more common in the ET-PD group (73% and 48%) than in the ET-plus (PK) group (33% and 19%). The ET-plus (PK) group was more likely to undergo dopamine transporter (DAT) scans compared with the ET-PD group (73% vs. 34%) and less likely to receive levodopa trials (21% vs. 91%). There were no significant differences in self-reported REM sleep behavior disorders or beta-blocker use. Similar rates of depression, anxiety, cognitive complaints, and family history of tremor or PD were reported in both groups.
Conclusion
ET-PD and ET-plus (PK) can be clinically difficult to differentiate as they have overlapping motor and non-motor features. Beta-blocker use did not predict development of ET-PD or ET-plus (PK); however, anosmia and constipation may be helpful non-motor distinguishing features. DAT scans and levodopa trials may be valuable in clarifying the diagnoses.