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Alonso-Navarro H, García-Martín E, Agúndez JA, Jiménez-Jiménez FJ. Current and Future Neuropharmacological Options for the Treatment of Essential Tremor. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:518-537. [PMID: 31976837 PMCID: PMC7457404 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200124145743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential Tremor (ET) is likely the most frequent movement disorder. In this review, we have summarized the current pharmacological options for the treatment of this disorder and discussed several future options derived from drugs tested in experimental models of ET or from neuropathological data. METHODS A literature search was performed on the pharmacology of essential tremors using PubMed Database from 1966 to July 31, 2019. RESULTS To date, the beta-blocker propranolol and the antiepileptic drug primidone are the drugs that have shown higher efficacy in the treatment of ET. Other drugs tested in ET patients have shown different degrees of efficacy or have not been useful. CONCLUSION Injections of botulinum toxin A could be useful in the treatment of some patients with ET refractory to pharmacotherapy. According to recent neurochemical data, drugs acting on the extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, the glutamatergic system or LINGO-1 could be interesting therapeutic options in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Félix J. Jiménez-Jiménez
- Address correspondence to this author at the Section of Neurology, Hospital Universitario del Sureste, Arganda del Rey, Madrid, Spain; Tel: +34636968395; Fax: +34913280704; E-mails: ;
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Bruno E, Nicoletti A, Quattrocchi G, Filippini G, Colosimo C, Zappia M. Pregabalin for essential tremor. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 10:CD009682. [PMID: 27763691 PMCID: PMC6461190 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009682.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders. Treatment primarily consists of pharmacological agents. While primidone and propranolol are well-established treatments in clinical practice, they may be ineffective in 25% to 55% of patients and can produce serious adverse events in a large percentage of them. For these reasons, it is worth evaluating the treatment alternatives for essential tremor. Some specialists have suggested that pregabalin could be a potentially useful agent, but there is uncertainty about its efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of pregabalin versus placebo or other treatment for essential tremor in adults. SEARCH METHODS We performed a systematic search without language restrictions to identify all relevant trials up to December 2015. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, NICE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We handsearched grey literature and examined the reference lists of identified studies and reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of pregabalin versus placebo or any other treatments. We included studies in which the diagnosis of ET was made according to accepted and validated diagnostic criteria. We excluded studies conducted in patients presenting secondary forms of tremor or reporting only neurophysiological parameters to assess outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently collected and extracted data using a data collection form. We assessed the risk of bias of the body of evidence, and we used inverse variance methods to analyse continuous outcomes and measurement scales. We compared the mean difference between treatment groups, and we combined results for dichotomous outcomes using Mantel-Haenszel methods and risk differences We used Review Manager software for data management and analysis. MAIN RESULTS We only found one study eligible for this review (22 participants). We assessed the risk of bias for most domains as unclear. We graded the overall quality of evidence as very low. Compared to placebo, patients treated with pregabalin showed no significant improvement of motor tasks on the 36-point subscale of the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) (MD -2.15 points; 95% CI -9.16 to 4.86) or on the 32-point functional abilities subscale of the TRS (MD -0.66 points; 95% CI -2.90 to 1.58).The limited evidence showed no difference in study withdrawal (Mantel-Haenszel RD -0.09; 95% CI -0.48 to 0.30) and presentation of adverse events between pregabalin and placebo (Mantel-Haenszel RD 0.18; 95% CI -0.13 to 0.50). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The effects of pregabalin for treating essential tremor are uncertain because the quality of the evidence is very low. One small study did not highlight any effect of this treatment; however, the high risk of bias and the lack of other studies on this topic limit further conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bruno
- Department GF Ingrassia,Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy, 95123
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Resnick AS, Okun MS, Malapira T, Smith D, Vale FL, Sullivan K, Miller A, Jahan I, Zesiewicz T. Sustained Medication Reduction Following Unilateral VIM Thalamic Stimulation for Essential Tremor. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2012; 2:tre-02-38-193-1. [PMID: 23440408 PMCID: PMC3569968 DOI: 10.7916/d8zg6qz2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an increasingly utilized therapeutic modality for the management of medication refractory essential tremor (ET). The aim of this study was to determine whether DBS allowed for anti-tremor medication reduction within the year after the procedure was performed. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review and telephone interviews on 34 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with ET, and who had undergone unilateral DBS surgery. RESULTS Of the 34 patients in our cohort, 31 patients (91%) completely stopped all anti-tremor medications either before surgery (21 patients, 62%) or in the year following DBS surgery (10 patients, 29%). Patients who discontinued tremor medications before DBS surgery did so because their tremors either became refractory to anti-tremor medication, or they developed adverse events to tremor medications. Patients who stopped tremor medications after DBS surgery did so due to sufficient tremor control. Only three patients (9%) who were taking tremor medications at the time of surgery continued the use of a beta-blocker post-operatively for the purpose of hypertension management in all cases. DISCUSSION The data from this study indicate that medication cessation is common following unilateral DBS for ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Resnick
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America,UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Okun
- UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Teresita Malapira
- UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Donald Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Fernando L. Vale
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kelly Sullivan
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Amber Miller
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Israt Jahan
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Theresa Zesiewicz
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America,*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Paris-Robidas S, Brochu E, Sintes M, Emond V, Bousquet M, Vandal M, Pilote M, Tremblay C, Di Paolo T, Rajput AH, Rajput A, Calon F. Defective dentate nucleus GABA receptors in essential tremor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 135:105-16. [PMID: 22120148 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awr301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of new treatments for essential tremor, the most frequent movement disorder, is limited by a poor understanding of its pathophysiology and the relative paucity of clinicopathological studies. Here, we report a post-mortem decrease in GABA(A) (35% reduction) and GABA(B) (22-31% reduction) receptors in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum from individuals with essential tremor, compared with controls or individuals with Parkinson's disease, as assessed by receptor-binding autoradiography. Concentrations of GABA(B) receptors in the dentate nucleus were inversely correlated with the duration of essential tremor symptoms (r(2) = 0.44, P < 0.05), suggesting that the loss of GABA(B) receptors follows the progression of the disease. In situ hybridization experiments also revealed a diminution of GABA(B(1a+b)) receptor messenger RNA in essential tremor (↓27%). In contrast, no significant changes of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors (protein and messenger RNA), GluN2B receptors, cytochrome oxidase-1 or GABA concentrations were detected in molecular or granular layers of the cerebellar cortex. It is proposed that a decrease in GABA receptors in the dentate nucleus results in disinhibition of cerebellar pacemaker output activity, propagating along the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathways to generate tremors. Correction of such defective cerebellar GABAergic drive could have a therapeutic effect in essential tremor.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Tremor continuously attracts the attention of clinicians and basic researchers in search of pathophysiological, molecular and genetic mechanisms of the oscillatory activity. RECENT FINDINGS A widespread dynamic network of cortical and subcortical oscillators taking part in tremor generation intermittently has been postulated. Essential tremor is accompanied by functional deficits but may also occur along with subtle cerebellar changes. According to recent epidemiological studies there may be a link of essential tremor with Parkinson's disease. Many of the epidemiologic studies suffer from small cohorts, small effects or the lack of a definite test for essential tremor leaving the diagnosis a pure clinical one. A very recent large genome-wide association study has revealed that the LINGO1 gene is associated with an increased risk for essential tremor. Topiramate is becoming the best-established second line treatment for essential tremor. Targets for deep brain stimulation in the grey matter below the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus seem to be most effective. SUMMARY New concepts of the central origin of tremors stimulate the search for new therapeutic targets for tremor suppression outside the basal ganglia and thalamus (e.g. cortex). The role of structural neurodegenerative changes in essential tremor remains an open question. Further studies on specific subgroups of patients are necessary.
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Papapetropoulos S, Gallo BV, Guevara A, Singer C, Mitsi G, Lyssikatos C, Jagid JR. Objective tremor registration during DBS surgery for essential tremor. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2009; 111:376-9. [PMID: 19121890 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2008.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2008] [Revised: 10/19/2008] [Accepted: 10/31/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Essential Tremor (ET) is characterized by a 4-12-Hz postural and kinetic tremor, most commonly affecting the upper limbs. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus (Vim) has been found to be highly effective in severe/refractory forms of ET. Intra-operative assessment of tremor is performed using clinical methods based on patient and physician perception of tremor intensity. We present for the first time the case of a patient whose tremor was objectively monitored/quantified pre- and intra-operatively using device-based tremor registration to supplement clinical measures. We present the case of a 76-year-old right-handed woman that received unilateral (left-sided) DBS of the ventrointermediate (Vim) nucleus of thalamus (Vim) for medically refractory ET. Tremor was monitored with an accelerometer-based Tremor Pen, which is part of a simple portable device (CATSYS 2000 System, Danish Product Development Ltd., DK, www.catsys.dk). The patient was asked to perform tasks for tremor evaluation before and during thalamic DBS. Tremor quantification revealed a significant improvement (34.7-fold) in the contralateral (right) limb following macro-stimulation. No significant improvement was registered in the ipsilateral (non-operated) side. Simple electronic tremor registration methods during DBS of the Vim nucleus of the thalamus may supplement the existing methodology that is solely based on subjective measures derived from clinical observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spiridon Papapetropoulos
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States.
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Tremor associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating peripheral neuropathy: treatment with pregabalin. Clin Neuropharmacol 2008; 31:241-4. [PMID: 18670249 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0b013e3181585b71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report a case of a patient with tremor associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP) that improved after treatment with pregabalin. CASE REPORT A 68-year-old man diagnosed as having CIDP at age 63 years developed postural and kinetic tremor in both hands at age 64 years. Tremor did not improve with propranolol, primidone, phenobarbital, clonazepam, alprazolam, gabapentin, and topiramate, but improved markedly with pregabalin. Tremor worsened after pregabalin withdrawal and improved again after its reintroduction. CONCLUSIONS Pregabalin could be useful in the treatment of postural tremor associated with CIDP resistant to other therapies.
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Zesiewicz TA, Sullivan KL, Ward CL, Hauser RA. Tiagabine and exacerbation of essential tremor. Mov Disord 2008; 22:2132-3. [PMID: 17663461 DOI: 10.1002/mds.21559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Morera Montes J. [High-risk situation]. Aten Primaria 2008; 40:35-8. [PMID: 18190766 PMCID: PMC7646134 DOI: 10.1157/13114323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2007] [Accepted: 09/17/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Morera Montes
- Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Mirasierra, IMSALUD, Area 5, Madrid, España.
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Zesiewicz TA, Ward CL, Hauser RA, Salemi JL, Siraj S, Wilson MC, Sullivan KL. A pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pregabalin (Lyrica) in the treatment of essential tremor. Mov Disord 2007; 22:1660-3. [PMID: 17580330 DOI: 10.1002/mds.21629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pregabalin (PGB, Lyrica), an antiepileptic agent, in treating essential tremor (ET). Twenty two patients with ET were randomly assigned to receive PGB or placebo. PGB was initiated at 50 mg/day and was escalated by 75 mg/day every 4 days to a maximum dose of 600 mg/day. Patients were evaluated by accelerometry and the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) rating scale. There was a significant reduction in tremor amplitude in the PGB group compared with the placebo group, as measured by accelerometry, at a mean dose of 286.76+/-100.05 mg/day. Action tremor limb scores on the FTM also improved in the PGB group compared with the placebo group (P-value for multilevel modeling=0.04). PGB was fairly well tolerated, with about one-third of patients dropping out of the study because of adverse events. PGB provided significant improvements in accelerometry and in action tremor limb scores on the FTM. However, larger studies are needed to further evaluate the potential effect of PGB on ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A Zesiewicz
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses on recent findings on the aetiological, clinical, pathological and genetic heterogeneity of essential tremor and new therapeutic approaches. RECENT FINDINGS Although essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, understanding of the causes and mechanisms of the disease is still very limited. Studies on the clinical presentation of essential tremor have expanded the clinical dimension, now including nontremor manifestations such as cerebellar signs, neuropsychological characteristics, distinct personality traits and behavioural symptoms. Results of neuropathologic and imaging studies are conflicting, with hints of neurodegeneration or a nondegenerative disturbance of functional circuits or receptors. Genetic heterogeneity of essential tremor has been demonstrated by linkage to three different chromosomal loci so far, and several negative genetic studies. New animal models are reinforcing previous hypotheses about gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA)-ergic mechanisms in essential tremor. New therapeutic agents for essential tremor have been tested and demonstrated to be partly effective. SUMMARY The traditional view of essential tremor as a single disease entity has been replaced with the concept that this disorder is a complex and heterogeneous disease. Heterogeneity of the condition, and lack of diagnostic criteria and objective diagnostic tests add to this problem. Many conflicting results may be due to differences in patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Lorenz
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel, Germany
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