Essential Tremor

Summary

Investigators are continuing to explore all aspects of ET, searching for the responsible gene loci, improved diagnostic procedures, and additional symptomatic treatments. Primidone and propranolol are considered first-line therapies for ET. For many patients, one or both of these medications are sufficient to achieve efficacious symptomatic relief. Several other promising pharmacologic options have been identified; however, larger clinical studies are required to determine their long-term safety and efficacy for ET. For some selected patients with medication-refractory ET, chemodenervation with intramuscular injections of BTX may be beneficial. When medical management is insufficient to reduce functional disability and resultant handicap, stereotactic thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation may provide significant benefits.