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Essential tremor - Overview

Alternative Names

Tremor - essential

Definition of Essential tremor:

Essential tremor is a type of involuntary shaking movement in which no cause can be identified. Involuntary means you shake without trying to do so.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Essential tremor is the most common type of tremor. In general, tremors occur when there is a problem with the nerves supplying certain muscles. The specific cause for essential tremor is unknown. However, some research suggests that the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls muscles movements, does not work correctly in patients with essential tremor.

Essential tremors can occur at any age but are most common in people older than 65. There are several different types of essential tremor, including:

Essential tremor with head tremor
Young-onset essential tremor (essential tremors that start at an earlier-than-usual age)

If an essential tremor occurs in more than one member of a family, it is called a familial tremor.

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 5/28/2008
Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Jankovic J. Movement Disorders. In: Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007: chap. 34.

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