Essential tremor

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

About half of essential tremor cases appear to result from a genetic mutation. This form is referred to as familial tremor. It isn't clear what causes essential tremor in people without a known genetic mutation.

Research has found that changes in specific areas of the brain may contribute to essential tremor.

Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. NINDS essential tremor information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  2. Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/essential-tremor/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  3. Tremor fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/detail_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  4. Tarsy D. Overview of tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  5. Tremor. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic_disorders/movement_and_cerebellar_disorders/tremor.html?qt=essential%20tremor&sc=&alt=sh#top. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  6. Parkinson's disease: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2012.
  7. Tarsy D. Pharmacologic treatment of essential tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  8. Tarsy D. Surgical treatment of essential tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  9. Zesiewicz TA, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: Treatment of Essential Tremor: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. 2011;77:1752.
  10. Coping tips. International Essential Tremor Foundation. http://www.essentialtremor.org/Coping-Tips. Accessed Nov. 20, 2012.
  11. Support groups. International Essential Tremor Foundation. http://www.essentialtremor.org/siteresources/apps/supportgroups/. Accessed Nov. 20, 2012.
  12. NINDS essential tremor information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  13. Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/essential-tremor/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  14. Tremor fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  15. U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
DS00367 Feb. 20, 2013

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