Disorders

Essential Tremor (ET)

• Genetics and Essential Tremor
  
• Essential Tremor Research Review
  
• Essential Tremor Newsletter
  
• CHG Essential Tremor Publications
  
• Essential Tremor Study Participation
  
• Additional Essential Tremor Information
  

Genetics and Essential Tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder that affects an estimated 5-10 million Americans. ET differs from Parkinson disease because tremor is present with voluntary movement and is absent at rest. Additionally, ET does not cause slowness of movement or muscle stiffness. While hand tremor is the most common form of ET, essential tremor may involve the head, voice, arms, and legs. 

Although ET is not life threatening, it can have a tremendous impact on the quality of daily life. Medical and even surgical treatments for ET are available; however, the cause of ET remains unknown.

Researchers at the Duke Center for Human Genetics (CHG) are determined to identify the cause of ET. Because previous work has shown that genes play a role in ET, Duke CHG researchers are searching for genetic clues in families with ET. We need the help of as many families as possible in order to discover the genetic factors that cause essential tremor.

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Essential Tremor Research Review

Essential tremor may occur sporadically, i.e., to individuals who do not have any relatives with ET. However, the condition tends to run in families and may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The disorder affects both male and females equally. Although ET can begin in childhood, the average age of onset is 45 years old. The probability of expressing the gene and having tremor increases with age. The symptoms and disability associated with essential tremor also tend to progress with age.

Early findings have provided evidence for three genes associated with familial essential tremor. The first ET gene that was identified, FET1 or ETM1, is located on the long arm of chromosome 3. Another ET gene, ETM2, maps to a region on the short arm of chromosome 2. A third locus is on the short arm of chromosome 4 and is seen in individuals who have Parkinson disease and postural tremor. These key ET research publications are listed below. As many families do not show evidence for linkage to any of these loci, this suggests there are yet undiscovered genes for ET. 

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Essential Tremor Newsletter

News about ET Research.

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CHG Essential Tremor Publications

Researchers at the Duke Center for Human Genetics (Duke CHG) are working to identify additional essential tremor genes. Once identified, these genes can be further studied to determine how they contribute to or cause essential tremor. Ultimately, this research may result in improved diagnosis, treatment, and possibly, prevention of ET.

Essential Tremor Research Publications


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Essential Tremor Study Participation

We are looking for large families in which several individuals have essential tremor. These individuals should span at least two generations (for example: parent and children). Whenever possible, the family should be large enough to have living individuals (both with and without essential tremor) in three or more generations who are willing to participate in research.

• There is no cost to participate.
• Participation does NOT require travel to Duke University Medical Center.
• Participation will not affect an individual’s health care.
• All information is kept strictly confidential.

Participating families will be asked to contribute the following forms of information:

• A phone interview, at the family’s convenience, to review the family history
  
• A review of medical records with respect to a diagnosis of essential tremor.
  

If the family history, family structure and availability of family members is appropriate, we will complete phone interviews with eligible families. Eligible families will then be asked to contribute additional information:

• A blood sample from all participating family members
  
• Undergo a neurological exam specific to essential tremor, which will be videotaped.
  

A research team member will come to the family’s home or any convenient location to obtain a blood sample and perform the exams. No individual or family-specific genetic results will be given to study participants. We will share our overall findings with families through periodic newsletters and scientific publications. This research will NOT give a result in the short term, but we hope that in the next few years the research will allow us to better understand the cause of ET, diagnose it earlier, and develop new ET treatments.

For additional study information, contact:
Jeffrey Stajich
E-Mail: stajich@chg.duhs.duke.edu.

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Additional Essential Tremor Information

TAN (Tremor Action Network)
"Shaking the World to Find a Cure"
PO Box 5013
Pleasanton, CA 94566-0513
Phone: (925) 462-0111 or (510) 681-6565
E-Mail: Tremor@TremorAction.org
Newsletter: June 2005

International Tremor Foundation
7046 West 105 Street
Overland Park, KS 66212-1803
Phone: (913)341-3880
E-mail: inttremorfnd@worldnet.att.net

We Move (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
204 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (800) 437-MOV2, (INT): 212-875-8312
E-mail: wemove@wemove.org

North Carolina Support Group: Oak Island
Beverly McCarter
Phone:(910) 278-9420
E-mail: rmccarter@ec.rr.com

South Carolina Support Group: Aiken
"The Aiken Shakers"
William J. Rundorff
Phone: 803-641-0393
E-mail: bandjrundorff@aol.com

Parents of Children with ET

Essential Tremor Internet Support Group


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