Common causes of kinetic tremor
What are the characteristics and most common causes of kinetic tremor?
Kinetic tremors result from lesions of the cerebellar outflow pathways.
The tremor has a 3- to 4-Hz frequency and is typically observed on the finger-to-nose test. In patients with cerebellar lesions, titubation (anterior/posterior oscillation of the trunk and head) and postural tremor of the hands are often seen in addition to the kinetic tremor.
Patients who have lesions in the midbrain involving the superior cerebellar peduncle and nigrostriatal system also display tremor at rest (midbrain tremor).
Multiple sclerosis, trauma, stroke, Wilson’s disease, phenytoin intoxication, acute alcoholic intoxication, cerebellar parenchymatous alcoholic degeneration, and tumor are the most important causes of kinetic tremor.
The treatment of kinetic tremors remains unsatisfactory.
Drugs useful in the treatment of ET, such as propranolol and primidone, are ineffective in the treatment of kinetic tremors.
Isoniazid, carbamazepine, and glutethimide may control kinetic tremor in some patients.
Attaching weights to the wrist also may be modestly helpful.
Injections of botulinum toxin or thalamotomy may benefit selected patients.
Buspirone has been reported to help some patients with mild cerebellar tremor.
