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Tabari F, Berger JI, Flouty O, Copeland B, Greenlee JD, Johari K. Speech, voice, and language outcomes following deep brain stimulation: A systematic review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302739. [PMID: 38728329 PMCID: PMC11086900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) reliably ameliorates cardinal motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). However, the effects of DBS on speech, voice and language have been inconsistent and have not been examined comprehensively in a single study. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic analysis of literature by reviewing studies that examined the effects of DBS on speech, voice and language in PD and ET. METHODS A total of 675 publications were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases. Based on our selection criteria, 90 papers were included in our analysis. The selected publications were categorized into four subcategories: Fluency, Word production, Articulation and phonology and Voice quality. RESULTS The results suggested a long-term decline in verbal fluency, with more studies reporting deficits in phonemic fluency than semantic fluency following DBS. Additionally, high frequency stimulation, left-sided and bilateral DBS were associated with worse verbal fluency outcomes. Naming improved in the short-term following DBS-ON compared to DBS-OFF, with no long-term differences between the two conditions. Bilateral and low-frequency DBS demonstrated a relative improvement for phonation and articulation. Nonetheless, long-term DBS exacerbated phonation and articulation deficits. The effect of DBS on voice was highly variable, with both improvements and deterioration in different measures of voice. CONCLUSION This was the first study that aimed to combine the outcome of speech, voice, and language following DBS in a single systematic review. The findings revealed a heterogeneous pattern of results for speech, voice, and language across DBS studies, and provided directions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Tabari
- Human Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Joel I. Berger
- Human Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Oliver Flouty
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Brian Copeland
- Department of Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Jeremy D. Greenlee
- Human Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Karim Johari
- Human Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Laboratory, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
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Tankus A, Lustig-Barzelay Y, Gurevitch G, Faust-Socher A, Strauss I. Neuronal Encoding of Speech Features in the Human Thalamus in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor Patients. Neurosurgery 2024; 94:307-316. [PMID: 37695053 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The human thalamus is known, from stimulation studies and functional imaging, to participate in high-level language tasks. The goal of this study is to find whether and how speech features, in particular, vowel phonemes, are encoded in the neuronal activity of the thalamus, and specifically of the left ventralis intermediate nucleus (Vim), during speech production, perception, and imagery. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we intraoperatively recorded single neuron activity in the left Vim of eight neurosurgical patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 4) or essential tremor (n = 4) undergoing implantation of deep brain stimulation (n = 3) or radiofrequency lesioning (n = 5) while patients articulated the five monophthongal vowel sounds. RESULTS In this article, we report that single neurons in the left Vim encode individual vowel phonemes mainly during speech production but also during perception and imagery. They mainly use one of two encoding schemes: broad or sharp tuning, with a similar percentage of units each. Sinusoidal tuning has been demonstrated in almost half of the broadly tuned units. Patients with PD had a lower percentage of speech-related units in each aspect of speech (production, perception, and imagery), a significantly lower percentage of broadly tuned units, and significantly lower median firing rates during speech production and perception, but significantly higher rates during imagery, than patients with essential tremor. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the left Vim uses mixed encoding schemes for speech features. Our findings explain, at the single neuron level, why deep brain stimulation and radiofrequency lesioning of the left Vim are likely to cause speech side effects. Moreover, they may indicate that speech-related units in the left Vim of patients with PD may be degraded even in the subclinical phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Tankus
- Functional Neurosurgery Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv , Israel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv , Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Yael Lustig-Barzelay
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Guy Gurevitch
- Sagol Brain Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv , Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Achinoam Faust-Socher
- Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Ido Strauss
- Functional Neurosurgery Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv , Israel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv , Israel
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Robertson-Dick EE, Timm EC, Pal G, Ouyang B, Liu Y, Berry-Kravis E, Hall DA, O’Keefe JA. Digital gait markers to potentially distinguish fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and essential tremor. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1308698. [PMID: 38162443 PMCID: PMC10755476 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1308698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disease that affects carriers of a 55-200 CGG repeat expansion in the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene, may be given an incorrect initial diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET) due to overlapping motor symptoms. It is critical to characterize distinct phenotypes in FXTAS compared to PD and ET to improve diagnostic accuracy. Fast as possible (FP) speed and dual-task (DT) paradigms have the potential to distinguish differences in gait performance between the three movement disorders. Therefore, we sought to compare FXTAS, PD, and ET patients using quantitative measures of functional mobility and gait under self-selected (SS) speed, FP, and DT conditions. Methods Participants with FXTAS (n = 22), PD (n = 23), ET (n = 20), and controls (n = 20) underwent gait testing with an inertial sensor system (APDM™). An instrumented Timed Up and Go test (i-TUG) was used to measure movement transitions, and a 2-min walk test (2MWT) was used to measure gait and turn variables under SS, FP, and DT conditions, and dual-task costs (DTC) were calculated. ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. Results PD participants had reduced stride lengths compared to FXTAS and ET participants under SS and DT conditions, longer turn duration than ET participants during the FP task, and less arm symmetry than ET participants in SS gait. They also had greater DTC for stride length and velocity compared to FXTAS participants. On the i-TUG, PD participants had reduced sit-to-stand peak velocity compared to FXTAS and ET participants. Stride length and arm symmetry index during the DT 2MWT was able to distinguish FXTAS and ET from PD, such that participants with shorter stride lengths were more likely to have a diagnosis of PD and those with greater arm asymmetry were more likely to be diagnosed with PD. No gait or i-TUG parameters distinguished FXTAS from ET participants in the regression model. Conclusion This is the first quantitative study demonstrating distinct gait and functional mobility profiles in FXTAS, PD, and ET which may assist in more accurate and timely diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Robertson-Dick
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Emily C. Timm
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Gian Pal
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Bichun Ouyang
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yuanqing Liu
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Joan A. O’Keefe
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
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Dai D, Fernandes J, Kim H, Coetzer H. Comparative Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation Therapy for Essential Tremor: A Randomized Pragmatic Clinical Trial. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2023; 13:38. [PMID: 37869579 PMCID: PMC10588491 DOI: 10.5334/tohm.798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS) is a wrist-worn, non-invasive therapy delivering calibrated stimulation to the median and radial nerves. Previous randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of TAPS therapy in some patients with essential tremor (ET), but evidence supporting therapeutic benefits of TAPS versus standard of care (SOC) is lacking. This randomized prospective study evaluated the clinical benefit of adding TAPS treatment to SOC versus SOC alone. Methods This randomized pragmatic trial recruited patients from a large health plan's Commercially Insured and Medicare Advantage population. All 310 patients received a TAPS device and were randomized 1:1 to either one month adding TAPS therapy to usual care (TX arm) or usual care with tremor assessment only (SOC arm). The pre-specified endpoints were changes in tremor power measured by motion sensors on the device (primary) and improvement in Bain & Findley Activities of Daily Living (BF-ADL) upper limb scores (secondary) between TX and SOC in all patients who completed the one-month study. Results 276 patients completed the one-month study (N = 133 TX, N = 143 SOC). The study met the primary and secondary endpoints, with significantly reduced tremor power in TX compared with SOC (0.017 (0.003) versus 0.08 (0.014) (m/s2)2; geometric mean (SE); p < 0.0001) and greater improvement in the BF-ADL score in TX than SOC (1.6 (0.43) vs 0.2 (0.37) points; mean (SE); p < 0.05). No serious device-related adverse events were reported. Discussion This trial demonstrates that adding TAPS treatment to SOC significantly improves tremor power and BF-ADLs in patients with ET compared to SOC alone over one month of home use. Highlights This study found that adding TAPS treatment to SOC significantly improves tremor power and BF-ADL scores in patients with ET compared to SOC alone over one month of home use. This real-world evidence study suggests that non-invasive TAPS therapy is a safe and valuable treatment option for patients with ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingwei Dai
- CVS Health Clinical Trial Services LLC, Woonsocket, RI, USA
| | | | - Han Kim
- Cala Health, Inc., San Mateo, CA, USA
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Boogers A, Peeters J, Van Bogaert T, Rusz J, Bogaert-Miclaus C, Loret G, De Vloo P, Vandenberghe W, Nuttin B, Mc Laughlin M. Acute stimulation with symmetric biphasic pulses induces less ataxia compared to cathodic pulses in DBS for essential tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2023; 111:105435. [PMID: 37187082 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symmetric biphasic pulses have been shown to acutely increase the therapeutic window of ventralis intermedius deep brain stimulation (Vim-DBS) for essential tremor (ET) compared to cathodic pulses. Acute supratherapeutic stimulation can induce ataxic side effects in Vim-DBS. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect on tremor, ataxia and dysarthria of 3 h of biphasic stimulation in patients with DBS for ET. METHODS A randomized, doubled-blind, cross-over design was used to compare standard cathodic pulses with symmetric biphasic pulses (anode-first) during a 3-h period per pulse shape. During each 3-h period, all stimulation parameters were identical, except for the pulse shape. Tremor (Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale), ataxia (International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale) and speech (acoustic and perceptual measures) were assessed hourly during the 3-h periods. RESULTS Twelve ET patients were included. During the 3-h stimulation period, tremor control was equivalent between the two pulse shapes. Biphasic pulses elicited significantly less ataxia than cathodic pulses (p = 0.006). Diadochokinesis rate of speech was better for the biphasic pulse (p = 0.048), but other measures for dysarthria were not significantly different between the pulses. CONCLUSION Symmetric biphasic pulses induce less ataxia than conventional pulses after 3 h of stimulation DBS in ET patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Boogers
- Exp ORL, Department of Neurosciences, The Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurology, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jana Peeters
- Exp ORL, Department of Neurosciences, The Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tine Van Bogaert
- Exp ORL, Department of Neurosciences, The Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Rusz
- Department of Circuit Theory, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technicka 2, 160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Griet Loret
- Department of Neurology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Philippe De Vloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurology, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory for Parkinson Research, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Nuttin
- Department of Neurosurgery, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Myles Mc Laughlin
- Exp ORL, Department of Neurosciences, The Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Tarnutzer AA, Ward BK, Shaikh AG. Novel ways to modulate the vestibular system: Magnetic vestibular stimulation, deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation / transcranial direct current stimulation. J Neurol Sci 2023; 445:120544. [PMID: 36621040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in neurotechnologies are revolutionizing our understanding of complex neural circuits and enabling new treatments for disorders of the human brain. In the vestibular system, electromagnetic stimuli can now modulate vestibular reflexes and sensations of self-motion by artificially stimulating the labyrinth, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and their connections. OBJECTIVE In this narrative review, we describe evolving neuromodulatory techniques including magnetic vestibular stimulation (MVS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) and discuss current and potential future application in the field of neuro-otology. RESULTS MVS triggers both vestibular nystagmic (persistent) and perceptual (lasting ∼1 min) responses that may serve as a model to study central adaptational mechanisms and pathomechanisms of hemispatial neglect. By systematically mapping DBS electrodes, targeted stimulation of central vestibular pathways allowed modulating eye movements, vestibular heading perception, spatial attention and graviception, resulting in reduced anti-saccade error rates and hypometria, improved heading discrimination, shifts in verticality perception and transiently decreased spatial attention. For TMS/tDCS treatment trials have demonstrated amelioration of vestibular symptoms in various neuro-otological conditions, including chronic vestibular insufficiency, Mal-de-Debarquement and cerebellar ataxia. CONCLUSION Neuromodulation has a bright future as a potential treatment of vestibular dysfunction. MVS, DBS and TMS may provide new and sophisticated, customizable, and specific treatment options of vestibular symptoms in humans. While promising treatment responses have been reported for TMS/tDCS, treatment trials for vestibular disorders using MVS or DBS have yet to be defined and performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Tarnutzer
- Neurology, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - B K Ward
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A G Shaikh
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals and Cleveland VA Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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de Freitas PB, Freitas SMSF, Prado-Rico JM, Lewis MM, Du G, Yanosky JD, Huang X, Latash ML. Synergic control in asymptomatic welders during multi-finger force exertion and load releasing while standing. Neurotoxicology 2022; 93:324-336. [PMID: 36309163 PMCID: PMC10398836 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Motor synergies, i.e., neural mechanisms that organize multiple motor elements to ensure stability of actions, are affected by several neurological condition. Asymptomatic welders showed impaired synergy controlling the stability of multi-finger action compared to non-welders and this impairment was associated with microstructural damage in the globus pallidus. We further explored the effect of welding-related metal exposure on multi-finger synergy and extended our investigation to posture-stabilizing synergy during a standing task. Occupational, MRI, and performance-stabilizing synergies during multi-finger accurate force production and load releasing while standing were obtained from 29 welders and 19 age- and sex-matched controls. R2* and R1 relaxation rate values were used to estimate brain iron and manganese content, respectively, and diffusion tensor imaging was used to reflect brain microstructural integrity. Associations of brain MRI (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and red nucleus), and motor synergy were explored by group status. The results revealed that welders had higher R2* values in the caudate (p = 0.03), putamen (p = 0.01), and red nucleus (p = 0.08, trend) than controls. No group effect was revealed on multi-finger synergy index during steady-state phase of action (ΔVZss). Compared to controls, welders exhibited lower ΔVZss (-0.106 ± 0.084 vs. 0.160 ± 0.092, p = 0.04) and variance that did not affect the performance variable (VUCM, 0.022 ± 0.003 vs. 0.038 ± 0.007, p = 0.03) in the load releasing, postural task. The postural synergy index, ΔVZss, was associated negatively with higher R2* in the red nucleus in welders (r = -0.44, p = 0.03), but not in controls. These results suggest that the synergy index in the load releasing during a standing task may reflect welding-related neurotoxicity in workers with chronic metals exposure. This finding may have important clinical and occupational health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo B de Freitas
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Health Science, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandra M S F Freitas
- Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Janina M Prado-Rico
- Department of Neurology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Mechelle M Lewis
- Department of Neurology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Guangwei Du
- Department of Neurology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jeff D Yanosky
- Department of Public Health Science, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Xuemei Huang
- Department of Neurology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Radiology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Mark L Latash
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Peterson A, Chapman S, Iglesias Hernandez D, Tafader M, Louis ED, Cosentino S. Motor features associated with cognition in non-demented individuals with essential tremor. J Neurol Sci 2022; 439:120323. [PMID: 35752130 PMCID: PMC9942278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Essential tremor (ET) is a clinically heterogeneous disease characterized by motor and non-motor features, including cognitive impairment. In a cross-sectional analysis, we determined whether the presence and severity of motor features of ET are associated with cognitive performance. METHODS Participants enrolled in a study that used motor and neuropsychological measures to characterize a cohort of ET subjects. Action tremor severity and additional motor features (rest tremor, intention tremor, cranial tremor, dystonia, tandem gait missteps) were assessed in non-demented participants. Participants completed a cognitive test protocol assessing domains of memory, executive function, attention, visuospatial ability, and language. An average z-score was calculated to represent global cognition. RESULTS There were 204 ET participants (mean age 78.6, range 55-95). Participants with 10 missteps were more likely to have MCI than those with 0 or 1 misstep (p < 0.001). In unadjusted linear regression models, action tremor severity (p = 0.010), rest tremor (p < 0.001), and tandem gait missteps (p < 0.001) were negatively associated with global cognition. In adjusted models, only tandem gait missteps were negatively associated with global cognition (p < 0.001). Missteps were also negatively associated with memory (p < 0.001), executive function (p < 0.001), attention (p = 0.011), and visuospatial function (p = 0.043). No other motor features were associated with global cognition in adjusted models (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Among non-demented participants with ET, there is an association between cognitive performance and tandem gait missteps, but no other motor features of ET. This is a first step in establishing impaired tandem gait as a possible indicator of cognitive impairment in patients with ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Peterson
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silvia Chapman
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Marjana Tafader
- Department of Neuroscience, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Elan D. Louis
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Suppression of Axial Tremor by Deep Brain Stimulation in Patients with Essential Tremor: Effects on Gait and Balance Measures. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2022; 12:23. [PMID: 35854793 PMCID: PMC9248979 DOI: 10.5334/tohm.698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventralis intermedius (VIM) nucleus of the thalamus has been successful in mitigating upper limb tremor, but the effect on gait and balance performance is unclear. Here, we aim to examine the effectiveness of VIM DBS on stride length variability, sway path length, and task-relevant tremor of various body segments in essential tremor (ET). Methods: Seventeen ET individuals treated with DBS (ET DBS) and 17 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) performed a postural balance and overground walking task. In separate and consecutive visits, ET DBS performed gait and balance tasks with DBS ON or OFF. The main outcome measures were sway path length, stride length variability, and tremor quantified from upper limb, lower limb, upper and lower trunk (axial) during the gait and balance tasks. Results: With DBS OFF, ET DBS exhibited significantly greater stride length variability, sway path length, and tremor during gait and balance task relative to HC. Relative to DBS OFF, DBS ON reduced stride length variability and sway path length in ET DBS. The DBS-induced reduction in stride length variability was associated with the reduction in both upper trunk tremor and upper limb tremor. The DBS-induced reduction in sway path length was associated with the reduction in upper trunk tremor. Discussion: The findings of this study revealed that VIM DBS was effective in improving gait and balance in ET DBS and that improvements in gait and postural balance were associated with a reduction of axial tremor during the tasks. Highlights:
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Rentz C, Far MS, Boltes M, Schnitzler A, Amunts K, Dukart J, Minnerop M. System Comparison for Gait and Balance Monitoring Used for the Evaluation of a Home-Based Training. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:4975. [PMID: 35808470 PMCID: PMC9269735 DOI: 10.3390/s22134975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There are currently no standard methods for evaluating gait and balance performance at home. Smartphones include acceleration sensors and may represent a promising and easily accessible tool for this purpose. We performed an interventional feasibility study and compared a smartphone-based approach with two standard gait analysis systems (force plate and motion capturing systems). Healthy adults (n = 25, 44.1 ± 18.4 years) completed two laboratory evaluations before and after a three-week gait and balance training at home. There was an excellent agreement between all systems for stride time and cadence during normal, tandem and backward gait, whereas correlations for gait velocity were lower. Balance variables of both standard systems were moderately intercorrelated across all stance tasks, but only few correlated with the corresponding smartphone measures. Significant differences over time were found for several force plate and mocap system-obtained gait variables of normal, backward and tandem gait. Changes in balance variables over time were more heterogeneous and not significant for any system. The smartphone seems to be a suitable method to measure cadence and stride time of different gait, but not balance, tasks in healthy adults. Additional optimizations in data evaluation and processing may further improve the agreement between the analysis systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Rentz
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Juelich, 52428 Juelich, Germany; (K.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Mehran Sahandi Far
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Juelich, 52428 Juelich, Germany; (M.S.F.); (J.D.)
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Maik Boltes
- Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-7), Research Centre Juelich, 52428 Juelich, Germany;
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Katrin Amunts
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Juelich, 52428 Juelich, Germany; (K.A.); (M.M.)
- C. and O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Juergen Dukart
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Juelich, 52428 Juelich, Germany; (M.S.F.); (J.D.)
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Martina Minnerop
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Juelich, 52428 Juelich, Germany; (K.A.); (M.M.)
- Department of Neurology, Center for Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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11
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Overnight unilateral withdrawal of thalamic deep brain stimulation to identify reversibility of gait disturbances. Exp Neurol 2022; 355:114135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kent RD, Kim Y, Chen LM. Oral and Laryngeal Diadochokinesis Across the Life Span: A Scoping Review of Methods, Reference Data, and Clinical Applications. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2022; 65:574-623. [PMID: 34958599 DOI: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-21-00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review of research on oral and laryngeal diadochokinesis (DDK) in children and adults, either typically developing/developed or with a clinical diagnosis. METHOD Searches were conducted with PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and legacy sources in retrieved articles. Search terms included the following: DDK, alternating motion rate, maximum repetition rate, sequential motion rate, and syllable repetition rate. RESULTS Three hundred sixty articles were retrieved and included in the review. Data source tables for children and adults list the number and ages of study participants, DDK task, and language(s) spoken. Cross-sectional data for typically developing children and typically developed adults are compiled for the monosyllables /pʌ/, /tʌ/, and /kʌ/; the trisyllable /pʌtʌkʌ/; and laryngeal DDK. In addition, DDK results are summarized for 26 disorders or conditions. DISCUSSION A growing number of multidisciplinary reports on DDK affirm its role in clinical practice and research across the world. Atypical DDK is not a well-defined singular entity but rather a label for a collection of disturbances associated with diverse etiologies, including motoric, structural, sensory, and cognitive. The clinical value of DDK can be optimized by consideration of task parameters, analysis method, and population of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray D Kent
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Yunjung Kim
- School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Florida State University, Tallahassee
| | - Li-Mei Chen
- Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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13
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Iglesias-Hernandez D, Delgado N, McGurn M, Huey ED, Cosentino S, Louis ED. "ET Plus": Instability of the Diagnosis During Prospective Longitudinal Follow-up of Essential Tremor Cases. Front Neurol 2021; 12:782694. [PMID: 34975736 PMCID: PMC8716461 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.782694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A recent consensus statement introduced the term "ET plus". Although investigators have quantified the prevalence of ET plus in cross-sectional studies, patients with ET plus have not been tracked longitudinally; hence, there is no understanding of its stability over time. Methods: We present prospective, longitudinal phenotypic data on an ET cohort that was followed regularly at 18-month intervals (T1, T2, T3, T4) for up to 64 months. We assigned an ET or ET plus diagnosis to each case at each time interval. Results: There were 201 participants at baseline. The proportion with ET plus increased from 58.7% at baseline to 72.1% at T4 (p = 0.046). Of 172 (85.6%) who received a diagnosis of ET plus at one or more time intervals, the diagnosis was unstable (e.g., with reversion) in 62 (36.0%). We also assessed the stability of the clinical features of ET plus. Rest tremor was the most unstable clinical feature of ET plus; it was present in 59 participants, among whom it reverted from present to absent in 23 (39.0%). By contrast, for "memory impairment" (i.e., either mild cognitive impairment or dementia), the proportion who reverted from present to absent was only 21.3%. Conclusion: These data support our two a priori hypotheses: (1) the prevalence of ET plus would increase progressively, as it likely represents a more advanced stage of ET, and (2) the ET plus diagnosis would not be stable over time, as cases would fluctuate with respect to their phenotypic features and their assigned diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikki Delgado
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Margaret McGurn
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Edward D. Huey
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elan D. Louis
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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14
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Radler KH, Chapman S, Zdrodowska MA, Dowd HN, Liu X, Huey ED, Cosentino S, Louis ED. Physical Activity as a Predictor of Cognitive Decline in an Elderly Essential Tremor Cohort: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study. Front Neurol 2021; 12:658527. [PMID: 34093407 PMCID: PMC8172958 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.658527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Essential tremor (ET), one of the most common neurological diseases, is associated with cognitive impairment. Surprisingly, predictors of cognitive decline in ET remain largely unidentified, as longitudinal studies are rare. In the general population, however, lower physical activity has been linked to cognitive decline. Objectives: To determine whether baseline physical activity level is a predictor of cognitive decline in ET. Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven ET cases (78.1 ± 9.5 years, range = 55–95), enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal study of cognition. At baseline, each completed the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), a validated, self-rated assessment of physical activity. Cases underwent an extensive battery of motor-free neuropsychological testing at baseline, 1.5 years, and 3 years, which incorporated assessments of cognitive subdomains. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to assess the predictive utility of baseline physical activity for cognitive change. Results: Mean follow-up was 2.9 ± 0.4 years (range = 1.3–3.5). In cross-sectional analyses using baseline data, lower physical activity was associated with lower overall cognitive function as well as lower cognitive scores in numerous cognitive domains (memory, language, executive function, visuospatial function and attention, all p < 0.05). In adjusted GEE models, lower baseline physical activity level significantly predicted overall cognitive decline over time (p=0.047), and declines in the subdomains of memory (p = 0.001) and executive function (p = 0.03). Conclusions: We identified reduced physical activity as a predictor of greater cognitive decline in ET. The identification of risk factors often assists clinicians in determining which patients are at higher risk of cognitive decline over time. Interventional studies, to determine whether increasing physical activity could modify the risk of developing cognitive decline in ET, may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith H Radler
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Silvia Chapman
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maria Anna Zdrodowska
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hollie N Dowd
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Edward D Huey
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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15
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Ibrahim MF, Beevis JC, Empson RM. Essential Tremor - A Cerebellar Driven Disorder? Neuroscience 2020; 462:262-273. [PMID: 33212218 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal tremors are the most common of all movement disorders. In this review we focus on the role of the cerebellum in Essential Tremor, a highly debilitating but poorly treated movement disorder. We propose a variety of mechanisms driving abnormal burst firing of deep cerebellar nuclei neurons as a key initiator of tremorgenesis in Essential Tremor. Targetting these mechanisms may generate more effective treatments for Essential Tremor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Fasil Ibrahim
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.
| | - Jessica C Beevis
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Ruth M Empson
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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16
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Moon S, Song HJ, Sharma VD, Lyons KE, Pahwa R, Akinwuntan AE, Devos H. Classification of Parkinson's disease and essential tremor based on balance and gait characteristics from wearable motion sensors via machine learning techniques: a data-driven approach. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2020; 17:125. [PMID: 32917244 PMCID: PMC7488406 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-020-00756-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) are movement disorders that can have similar clinical characteristics including tremor and gait difficulty. These disorders can be misdiagnosed leading to delay in appropriate treatment. The aim of the study was to determine whether balance and gait variables obtained with wearable inertial motion sensors can be utilized to differentiate between PD and ET using machine learning. Additionally, we compared classification performances of several machine learning models. METHODS This retrospective study included balance and gait variables collected during the instrumented stand and walk test from people with PD (n = 524) and with ET (n = 43). Performance of several machine learning techniques including neural networks, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbor, decision tree, random forest, and gradient boosting, were compared with a dummy model or logistic regression using F1-scores. RESULTS Machine learning models classified PD and ET based on balance and gait characteristics better than the dummy model (F1-score = 0.48) or logistic regression (F1-score = 0.53). The highest F1-score was 0.61 of neural network, followed by 0.59 of gradient boosting, 0.56 of random forest, 0.55 of support vector machine, 0.53 of decision tree, and 0.49 of k-nearest neighbor. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the utility of machine learning models to classify different movement disorders based on balance and gait characteristics collected from wearable sensors. Future studies using a well-balanced data set are needed to confirm the potential clinical utility of machine learning models to discern between PD and ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghee Moon
- Department of Physical Therapy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Hyun-Je Song
- Department of Information Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Vibhash D Sharma
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kelly E Lyons
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Rajesh Pahwa
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Abiodun E Akinwuntan
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Office of the Dean, School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Hannes Devos
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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17
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Isaacson SH, Peckham E, Tse W, Waln O, Way C, Petrossian MT, Dahodwala N, Soileau MJ, Lew M, Dietiker C, Luthra N, Agarwal P, Dhall R, Morgan J, Calakos N, Zesiewicz TA, Shamim EA, Kumar R, LeWitt P, Shill HA, Simmons A, Pagan FL, Khemani P, Tate J, Maddux B, Luo L, Ondo W, Hallett M, Rajagopal A, Chidester P, Rosenbluth KH, Delp SL, Pahwa R. Prospective Home-use Study on Non-invasive Neuromodulation Therapy for Essential Tremor. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2020; 10:29. [PMID: 32864188 PMCID: PMC7427656 DOI: 10.5334/tohm.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Highlights This prospective study is one of the largest clinical trials in essential tremor to date. Study findings suggest that individualized non-invasive neuromodulation therapy used repeatedly at home over three months results in safe and effective hand tremor reduction and improves quality of life for many essential tremor patients. Background Two previous randomized, controlled, single-session trials demonstrated efficacy of non-invasive neuromodulation therapy targeting the median and radial nerves for reducing hand tremor. This current study evaluated efficacy and safety of the therapy over three months of repeated home use. Methods This was a prospective, open-label, post-clearance, single-arm study with 263 patients enrolled across 26 sites. Patients were instructed to use the therapy twice daily for three months. Pre-specified co-primary endpoints were improvements on clinician-rated Tremor Research Group Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS) and patient-rated Bain & Findley Activities of Daily Living (BF-ADL) dominant hand scores. Other endpoints included improvement in the tremor power detected by an accelerometer on the therapeutic device, Clinical and Patient Global Impression scores (CGI-I, PGI-I), and Quality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST) survey. Results 205 patients completed the study. The co-primary endpoints were met (p≪0.0001), with 62% (TETRAS) and 68% (BF-ADL) of 'severe' or 'moderate' patients improving to 'mild' or 'slight'. Clinicians (CGI-I) reported improvement in 68% of patients, 60% (PGI-I) of patients reported improvement, and QUEST improved (p = 0.0019). Wrist-worn accelerometer recordings before and after 21,806 therapy sessions showed that 92% of patients improved, and 54% of patients experienced ≥50% improvement in tremor power. Device-related adverse events (e.g., wrist discomfort, skin irritation, pain) occurred in 18% of patients. No device-related serious adverse events were reported. Discussion This study suggests that non-invasive neuromodulation therapy used repeatedly at home over three months results in safe and effective hand tremor reduction in many essential tremor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart H. Isaacson
- Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, FL, US
| | | | - Winona Tse
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Neurology, New York, NY, US
| | - Olga Waln
- Houston Methodist, Department of Neurology, Houston, TX, US
| | - Christopher Way
- Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center, Mountain View, CA, US
| | - Melita T. Petrossian
- Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Pacific Movement Disorders Center, Santa Monica, CA, US
| | - Nabila Dahodwala
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, Philadelphia, PA, US
| | | | - Mark Lew
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurology, Los Angeles, CA, US
| | - Cameron Dietiker
- University of California San Francisco, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Center, San Francisco, CA, US
| | - Nijee Luthra
- University of California San Francisco, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Center, San Francisco, CA, US
| | - Pinky Agarwal
- EvergreenHealth, Department of Neurology, Kirkland, WA, US
| | - Rohit Dhall
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Neurology, Little Rock, AR, US
| | - John Morgan
- Augusta University, Department of Neurology, Augusta, GA, US
| | - Nicole Calakos
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Durham, NC, US
| | | | - Ejaz A. Shamim
- Kaiser Permanente MidAtlantic States, Department of Neurology, MidAtlantic Permanente Research Institute, Largo, MD, US
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Rocky Mountain Movement Disorders Center, Englewood, CO, US
| | - Peter LeWitt
- Henry Ford Health System, Department of Neurology, West Bloomfield, MI, US
| | - Holly A. Shill
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Phoenix, AZ, US
| | - Adam Simmons
- Hospital for Special Care, Department of Research, New Britain, CT, US
| | - Fernando L. Pagan
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Washington DC, US
| | - Pravin Khemani
- Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurology, Seattle, WA, US
| | - Jessica Tate
- Wake Forest Baptist Health, Department of Neurology, Winston-Salem, NC, US
| | | | - Lan Luo
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Boston, MA, US
| | - William Ondo
- Houston Methodist, Department of Neurology, Houston, TX, US
| | - Mark Hallett
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Human Motor Control Section, Bethesda, MD, US
| | | | | | | | - Scott L. Delp
- Stanford University, Department of Bioengineering, Stanford, CA, US
| | - Rajesh Pahwa
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Kansas City, KS, US
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18
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Louis ED, Faust PL. Essential tremor: the most common form of cerebellar degeneration? CEREBELLUM & ATAXIAS 2020; 7:12. [PMID: 32922824 PMCID: PMC7427947 DOI: 10.1186/s40673-020-00121-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background The degenerative cerebellar ataxias comprise a large and heterogeneous group of neurological diseases whose hallmark clinical feature is ataxia, and which are accompanied, to variable degrees, by other features that are attributable to cerebellar dysfunction. Essential tremor (ET) is an exceptionally common neurological disease whose primary motor feature is action tremor, although patients often manifest intention tremor, mild gait ataxia and several other features of cerebellar dysfunction. Main Body In this paper, we review the abundant evidence derived from clinical, neuroimaging and postmortem studies, linking ET to cerebellar dysfunction. Furthermore, we review the combination of clinical, natural history and postmortem features suggesting that ET is neurodegenerative. We then compare the prevalence of ET (400 – 900 cases per 100,000) to that of the other cerebellar degenerations (ranging from <0.5 – 9 cases per 100,000, and in composite likely to be on the order of 20 cases per 100,000) and conclude that ET is 20 to 45 times more prevalent than all other forms of cerebellar degeneration combined. Conclusion Given the data we present, it is logical to conclude that ET is, by far, the most common form of cerebellar degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology and Therapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX USA
| | - Phyllis L Faust
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY USA
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19
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Wong JK, Hess CW, Almeida L, Middlebrooks EH, Christou EA, Patrick EE, Shukla AW, Foote KD, Okun MS. Deep brain stimulation in essential tremor: targets, technology, and a comprehensive review of clinical outcomes. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:319-331. [PMID: 32116065 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1737017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder with an estimated prevalence of 0.9% worldwide. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for medication refractory and debilitating tremor. With the arrival of next generation technology, the implementation and delivery of DBS has been rapidly evolving. This review will highlight the current applications and constraints for DBS in ET.Areas covered: The mechanism of action, targets for neuromodulation, next generation guidance techniques, symptom-specific applications, and long-term efficacy will be reviewed.Expert opinion: The posterior subthalamic area and zona incerta are alternative targets to thalamic DBS in ET. However, they may be associated with additional stimulation-induced side effects. Novel stimulation paradigms and segmented electrodes provide innovative approaches to DBS programming and stimulation-induced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua K Wong
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher W Hess
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Leonardo Almeida
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Evangelos A Christou
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Erin E Patrick
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Aparna Wagle Shukla
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kelly D Foote
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael S Okun
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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20
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Olfati N, Shoeibi A, Abdollahian E, Ahmadi H, Hoseini A, Akhlaghi S, Vakili V, Foroughipour M, Rezaeitalab F, Farzadfard MT, Layegh P, Naseri S. Cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for essential tremor: A double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover, add-on clinical trial. Brain Stimul 2019; 13:190-196. [PMID: 31624048 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is controversial evidence about the effect of cerebellar low-frequency stimulation in patients with essential tremor (ET). OBJECTIVES In this study we assessed safety and effectiveness of 1 Hz (low-frequency) cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on tremor severity in patients with essential tremor in a sham-controlled crossover trial. METHODS A total of 23 patients assigned into two groups to receive either sham (n = 10) or rTMS (n = 13) treatment, with crossing over after a two-month washout period. Intervention consisted of 900 pulses of 1 Hz rTMS at 90% resting motor threshold or the same protocol of sham stimulation over each cerebellar hemisphere for 5 consecutive days. Tremor severity was assessed by Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) scale at baseline and at days 5, 12 and 30 after intervention. The FTM consists of 3 subscales including tremor severity rating, performance of motor tasks, and functional disability. Carry-over and treatment effects were analyzed using independent samples t-test. RESULTS There was no significant improvement in the total FTM scores in rTMS compared to the sham stimulation on day 5 (p = 0.132), day 12 (p = 0.574), or day 30 (p = 0.382). Similarly, FTM subscales, including tremor severity rating, motor tasks, and functional disability did not improve significantly after rTMS treatment. Mild headache and local pain were the most frequent adverse events. CONCLUSION Although cerebellar rTMS seems to have acceptable safety when used in ET patients, this study could not prove any efficacy for it in reduction of tremor in these patients. Larger studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of this therapeutic intervention and to provide evidence about the optimal stimulation parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Olfati
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Ali Shoeibi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Ebrahim Abdollahian
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-Sina Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Hamideh Ahmadi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Alireza Hoseini
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Saeed Akhlaghi
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-Sina Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Vida Vakili
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Foroughipour
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Fariborz Rezaeitalab
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Taghi Farzadfard
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Parvaneh Layegh
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Quaem Medical Center, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Shahrokh Naseri
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Kroneberg D, Ewert S, Meyer AC, Kühn AA. Shorter pulse width reduces gait disturbances following deep brain stimulation for essential tremor. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:1046-1050. [PMID: 30765417 PMCID: PMC6820151 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-319427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gait disturbances are frequent side effects occurring during chronic thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with essential tremor (ET). Adapting stimulation settings to shorter pulse widths has been shown to reduce side effects of subthalamic DBS. Here, we assess how a reduction of pulse width changes gait performance of affected patients. METHODS Sensor-based gait assessment was performed to record spatiotemporal gait parameters in 10 healthy subjects (HS) and 7 patients with ET with gait disturbances following thalamic DBS. Patients were tested during standard DBS, after 72 hours of stimulation withdrawal and at least 30 days after adjusting DBS settings to a shorter pulse width of 40 µs (DBS40PW). RESULTS Patients with ET on standard DBS showed significantly higher variability of several spatiotemporal gait parameters compared with HS. Variability of stride length and range of motion of the shanks significantly decreased OFF DBS as compared with standard DBS. This improvement was maintained over 30 days with DBS40PW while providing effective tremor suppression in six out of seven patients. CONCLUSION Shorter pulse widths may reduce gait disturbances in patients with ET that are induced by DBS while preserving a level of tremor suppression equal to standard stimulation settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kroneberg
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Siobhan Ewert
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne-Christiane Meyer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea A Kühn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Unit, Berlin, Germany .,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Roemmich R, Roper JA, Eisinger RS, Cagle JN, Maine L, Deeb W, Wagle Shukla A, Hess CW, Gunduz A, Foote KD, Okun MS, Hass CJ. Gait worsening and the microlesion effect following deep brain stimulation for essential tremor. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:913-919. [PMID: 30846538 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-319723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on walking in persons with medication-refractory essential tremor (ET). METHODS We performed laboratory-based gait analyses on 24 persons with medication-refractory ET before and after unilateral thalamic DBS implantation. Normal and tandem walking parameters were analysed across sessions (PRE-DBS/DBS OFF/DBS ON) by repeated measures analyses of variance. Pearson's correlations assessed whether changes in walking after DBS were global (ie, related across gait parameters). Baseline characteristics, lead locations and stimulation parameters were analysed as possible contributors to gait effects. RESULTS DBS minimally affected gait at the cohort level. However, 25% of participants experienced clinically meaningful gait worsening. Walking speed decreased by >30% in two participants and by >10% in four others. Decreased walking speed correlated with increased gait variability, indicating global gait worsening in affected participants. The worsening persisted even after the stimulation was turned off. Participants with worse baseline tandem walking performance may be more likely to experience post-DBS gait worsening; the percentage of tandem missteps at baseline was nearly three times higher and tandem walking speeds were approximately 30% slower in participants who experienced gait worsening. However, these differences in tandem walking in persons with gait worsening as compared with those without worsening were not statistically significant. Lead locations and stimulation parameters were similar in participants with and without gait worsening. CONCLUSION Global gait worsening occurred in 25% of participants with unilateral DBS for medication-refractory ET. The effect was present on and off stimulation, likely indicating a microlesion effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Roemmich
- Center for Movement Studies, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA .,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaimie A Roper
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert S Eisinger
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jackson N Cagle
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Lauren Maine
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Wissam Deeb
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Christopher W Hess
- Department of Neurology, Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Aysegul Gunduz
- J. Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kelly D Foote
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Michael S Okun
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Chris J Hass
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Kim CY, Luo L, Yu Q, Mirallave A, Saunders-Pullman R, Lipton RB, Louis ED, Pullman SL. Repeated Spiral Drawings in Essential Tremor: a Possible Limb-Based Measure of Motor Learning. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:178-187. [PMID: 30206795 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To investigate changes in tremor severity over repeated spiral drawings to assess whether learning deficits can be evaluated directly in a limb in essential tremor (ET). A motor learning deficit in ET, possibly mediated by cerebellar pathways, has been established in eye-blink conditioning studies, but not paradigms measuring from an affected, tremulous limb. Computerized spiral analysis captures multiple characteristics of Archimedean spirals and quantifies performance through calculated indices. Sequential spiral drawing has recently been suggested to demonstrate improvement across trials among ET subjects. One hundred and sixty-one ET and 80 age-matched control subjects drew 10 consecutive spirals on a digitizing tablet. Degree of severity (DoS), a weighted, computational score of spiral execution that takes into account spiral shape and line smoothness, previously validated against a clinical rating scale, was calculated in both groups. Tremor amplitude (Ampl), an independent index of tremor size, measured in centimeters, was also calculated. Changes in DoS and Ampl across trials were assessed using linear regression with slope evaluations. Both groups demonstrated improvement in DoS across trials, but with less improvement in the ET group compared to controls. Ampl demonstrated a tendency to worsen across trials in ET subjects. ET subjects demonstrated less improvement than controls when drawing sequential spirals, suggesting a possible motor learning deficit in ET, here captured in an affected limb. DoS improved independently of Ampl, showing that DoS and Ampl are separable motor physiologic components in ET that may be independently mediated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Y Kim
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Motor Physiology Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Lan Luo
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Motor Physiology Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Qiping Yu
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Motor Physiology Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Ana Mirallave
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Motor Physiology Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Rachel Saunders-Pullman
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Seth L Pullman
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Motor Physiology Laboratory, Columbia University Medical Center, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Abstract
Click here to listen to the Podcast Essential tremor is the most common form of tremor in humans. Given neurologists' high exposure to this condition, and its seemingly straightforward phenotype, it might seem easy to diagnose. However, 30%-50 % of patients labelled as having 'essential tremor' have other diagnoses, mostly Parkinson's disease and dystonia. The tremor of essential tremor is neither non-descript nor featureless but is multifaceted and highly patterned. This review focuses on its clinical features, beginning with a discussion of tremors and then briefly discussing its additional motor features, and presents several aids to help distinguish essential tremor from Parkinson's disease and dystonia. Careful attention to certain clinical nuances will aid the diagnosis and care of patients with essential tremor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA .,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Rao AK, Louis ED. Ataxic Gait in Essential Tremor: A Disease-Associated Feature? TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 9:648. [PMID: 31413894 PMCID: PMC6691745 DOI: 10.7916/d8-28jq-8t52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background While accumulating evidence suggests that balance and gait impairments are commonly seen in patients with essential tremor (ET), questions remain regarding their prevalence, their relationship with normal aging, whether they are similar to the impairments seen in spinocerebellar ataxias, their functional consequences, and whether some ET patients carry greater susceptibility. Methods We conducted a literature search (until December 2018) on this topic. Results We identified 23 articles on gait or balance impairments in ET. The prevalence of balance impairment (missteps on tandem walk test) was seven times higher in ET patients than controls. Gait impairments in ET included reduced speed, increased asymmetry, and impaired dynamic balance. While balance and gait problems worsened with age, ET patients were more impaired than controls, independent of age. The pattern of impairments seen in ET was qualitatively similar to that seen in spinocerebellar ataxias. Balance and gait impairments resulted in greater number of near falls in ET patients. Factors associated with balance and gait impairments in ET included age, presence of tremor in midline structures, and cognitive dysfunction. Discussion Accumulating evidence suggests that balance and gait impairments are common in ET patients and occur to a greater extent in controls. Thus, they represent a disease-associated feature. These impairments, which are qualitatively similar to those seen in spinocerebellar ataxias, are not merely subclinical but result in difficulty performing functional tasks and increase falls risk. A subset of patients is more susceptible to balance and gait impairments. The full spectrum of impairments remains to be characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini K Rao
- Department of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine (Program in Physical Therapy), G.H. Sergievsky Center, Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence, Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology and Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases); Chief, Division of Movement Disorders, Co-Director- Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurology Research, New Haven, CT, USA
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26
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Roper JA, Terza MJ, De Jesus S, Jacobson CE, Hess CW, Hass CJ. Spatiotemporal gait parameters and tremor distribution in essential tremor. Gait Posture 2019; 71:32-37. [PMID: 31004995 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential Tremor is characterized by an action tremor of the upper extremities, which may or may not be accompanied by a head, voice, leg or trunk tremor. Problems with gait and balance have also been identified in persons with Essential Tremor. Therefore, understanding gait performance is an important area of focus for clinicians and researchers. RESEARCH QUESTION We sought to 1) conduct a factor analysis on a broad spectrum of spatiotemporal gait parameters 2) build upon the normative database of gait measures in persons with Essential Tremor 3) understand the influence of age on gait speed in persons with Essential Tremor and 4) identify the relationships between gait performance and clinical measures of disease severity. METHODS Gait data and Tremor Rating Scale scores were retrospectively collected from one hundred and forty-two ambulatory participants with a diagnosis of Essential Tremor. A factor analysis was used to characterize spatiotemporal gait parameters and regression models were applied to associate tremor scores to gait performance factors. RESULTS Three domains of gait performance factors were identified in persons with Essential Tremor. Specifically, we observed a pace, rhythm, and stability factor. In sum, these factors accounted for 91.9% of the variance in gait performance. Only the pace and stability factors were associated with disease severity, suggesting these factors are most sensitive to disease severity compared to the rhythm factor. Our linear regression analysis revealed a significant influence of age on gait speed. Gait speed decreased with age significantly by 0.64 cm/s/year. SIGNIFICANCE Reference values for 12 gait parameters will be highly useful for assessing gait performance in individuals with Essential Tremor. Our observations suggest that a clinical assessment of gait and balance would be an important measure to consider in routine clinical practice when treating persons with Essential Tremor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sol De Jesus
- Pennsylvania State University-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, United States
| | | | | | - Chris J Hass
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Koeglsperger T, Palleis C, Hell F, Mehrkens JH, Bötzel K. Deep Brain Stimulation Programming for Movement Disorders: Current Concepts and Evidence-Based Strategies. Front Neurol 2019; 10:410. [PMID: 31231293 PMCID: PMC6558426 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become the treatment of choice for advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, medically intractable essential tremor, and complicated segmental and generalized dystonia. In addition to accurate electrode placement in the target area, effective programming of DBS devices is considered the most important factor for the individual outcome after DBS. Programming of the implanted pulse generator (IPG) is the only modifiable factor once DBS leads have been implanted and it becomes even more relevant in cases in which the electrodes are located at the border of the intended target structure and when side effects become challenging. At present, adjusting stimulation parameters depends to a large extent on personal experience. Based on a comprehensive literature search, we here summarize previous studies that examined the significance of distinct stimulation strategies for ameliorating disease signs and symptoms. We assess the effect of adjusting the stimulus amplitude (A), frequency (f), and pulse width (pw) on clinical symptoms and examine more recent techniques for modulating neuronal elements by electrical stimulation, such as interleaving (Medtronic®) or directional current steering (Boston Scientific®, Abbott®). We thus provide an evidence-based strategy for achieving the best clinical effect with different disorders and avoiding adverse effects in DBS of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), the ventro-intermedius nucleus (VIM), and the globus pallidus internus (GPi).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Koeglsperger
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Carla Palleis
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Hell
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jan H Mehrkens
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Kai Bötzel
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
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Diaz DT, Cersonsky TEK, Kellner S, Zdrodowska MA, Hickman R, Cosentino S, Monin JK, Louis ED. Enfeeblement in Essential Tremor: Development and Validation of a New Psychometric Measure. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2019; 32:145-151. [PMID: 30857453 PMCID: PMC8524327 DOI: 10.1177/0891988719834345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite a growing body of knowledge regarding essential tremor (ET), past studies have fallen short in capturing the full impact of ET on patients and caregivers. We propose enfeeblement (i.e., having the qualities of being prematurely old, helpless, or debilitated) as a novel clinical outcome measure in ET. Due to the lack of enfeeblement scales for ET in the literature, we developed and validated an enfeeblement scale for ET. METHODS The Essential Tremor Enfeeblement Survey (ETES) consists of eight 5-point Likert-type scale questions and is designed to be a caregiver-reported outcome. RESULTS Enfeeblement scores showed a floor effect of 15.3%, no ceiling effects, and demonstrated good overall test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.73), favorable internal consistency (Cronbach α coefficient = 0.92) and good convergent validity. CONCLUSION The ETES has robust properties. Aside from future studies of enfeeblement in ET, enfeeblement should be explored more broadly as a psychometric measure across other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Trujillo Diaz
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tess E. K. Cersonsky
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Kellner
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maria Anna Zdrodowska
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ruby Hickman
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan K. Monin
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elan D. Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Finger ME, Madden LL, Haq IU, McLouth CJ, Siddiqui MS. Analysis of the prevalence and onset of dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms in movement disorders at an academic medical center. J Clin Neurosci 2019; 64:111-115. [PMID: 30948311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2019.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Voice and swallowing impairments are common in movement disorders, but their effect on patients' quality of life is not well known. This study was conducted to determine the onset and prevalence of patient-reported dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes (APS), and Essential Tremor (ET). Patients referred to a movement disorders clinic in a tertiary care academic medical center completed validated voice and swallowing specific Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaires: Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10). Patient demographics and clinical data were also collected. Two hundred and sixty-eight patients (males = 150, females = 118) completed the questionnaires (n was PD = 103, APS = 30, ET = 56, dystonia = 32, other = 47). Prevalence of patient-reported dysphagia symptoms was significantly higher in APS (63%) than PD (26%), ET (25%), and dystonia (31%). Prevalence of patient-reported dysphonia symptoms was significantly lower in ET (14%) compared to PD (34%) and APS (43%). Disease duration was shorter in PD and APS compared to ET and dystonia (p < 0.05) before reporting clinically significant dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms indicating an earlier onset of these symptoms. There were significant positive correlations between VHI-10 and EAT-10 scores and disease severity, as indicated by Unified Parkinson's Disease motor scores (p < 0.0001) and modified Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating sub-scores (p = 0.0013). Patient-reported dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms were present in one fourth of patients with PD, ET, dystonia, and almost two thirds in APS. Patient-reported QOL measures, such as VHI-10 and EAT-10, can help screen movement disorder patients for dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Finger
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Lyndsay L Madden
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ihtsham U Haq
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Christopher J McLouth
- Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mustafa S Siddiqui
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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30
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Long Trace Eyeblink Conditioning Is Largely Preserved in Essential Tremor. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:67-75. [PMID: 29916048 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Meyers JH, Hickman R, Cristal AD, Factor-Litvak P, Cosentino S, Louis ED. More unaffected first-degree relatives of essential tremor cases have mild cognitive deficits than age-matched controls. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018; 61:144-150. [PMID: 30404762 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In numerous case-control studies, essential tremor (ET) has been associated with cognitive impairment. ET is often familial. However, cognitive impairment has not been studied in family members of ET cases. Endophenotypes are measurable clinical characteristics that may be present in individuals with increased risk for disease; as such, they may be present before disease onset. We administered a global cognitive screen to first-degree relatives of ET cases (FD-ET) and age-matched controls (Co). METHODS We administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to 156 FD-ET and 73 Co, none of whom were diagnosed with ET or reported tremor. MoCA <26 was considered suggestive of cognitive impairment. RESULTS FD-ET and Co were similar with respect to age (60.1 ± 8.3 vs. 60.9 ± 7.4 years) and numerous demographic factors. FD-ET and Co also had similar MoCA scores; however, 34 of 156 (21.8%) FD-ET had a MoCA score <26 vs only 5 (6.9%) of 73 Co (p = 0.004). In a univariate logistic regression model, FD-ET were 3.79 times more likely to have a low (<26) MoCA than were Co (odds ratio = 3.79, p = 0.008). In a multivariate logistic regression model, adjusting for age and other covariates, FD-ET were 4.83 times more likely to have a low MoCA than were Co (odds ratio = 4.83, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION More FD-ET had low MoCA scores when compared with Co. These data provide additional support for the scientific notions that (1) cognitive difficulties are a disease-associated feature of ET and (2) there may be a pre-tremor phase of illness in ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Meyers
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ruby Hickman
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley D Cristal
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Pam Factor-Litvak
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Srivastava A, Ahmad OF, Pacia CP, Hallett M, Lungu C. The Relationship between Saccades and Locomotion. J Mov Disord 2018; 11:93-106. [PMID: 30086615 PMCID: PMC6182301 DOI: 10.14802/jmd.18018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human locomotion involves a complex interplay among multiple brain regions and depends on constant feedback from the visual system. We summarize here the current understanding of the relationship among fixations, saccades, and gait as observed in studies sampling eye movements during locomotion, through a review of the literature and a synthesis of the relevant knowledge on the topic. A significant overlap in locomotor and saccadic neural circuitry exists that may support this relationship. Several animal studies have identified potential integration nodes between these overlapping circuitries. Behavioral studies that explored the relationship of saccadic and gait-related impairments in normal conditions and in various disease states are also discussed. Eye movements and locomotion share many underlying neural circuits, and further studies can leverage this interplay for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshul Srivastava
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Omar F Ahmad
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Pham Pacia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Codrin Lungu
- Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Daneault JF. Could Wearable and Mobile Technology Improve the Management of Essential Tremor? Front Neurol 2018; 9:257. [PMID: 29725318 PMCID: PMC5916972 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is the most common movement disorder. Individuals exhibit postural and kinetic tremor that worsens over time and patients may also exhibit other motor and non-motor symptoms. While millions of people are affected by this disorder worldwide, several barriers impede an optimal clinical management of symptoms. In this paper, we discuss the impact of ET on patients and review major issues to the optimal management of ET; from the side-effects and limited efficacy of current medical treatments to the limited number of people who seek treatment for their tremor. Then, we propose seven different areas within which mobile and wearable technology may improve the clinical management of ET and review the current state of research in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Francois Daneault
- Motor Behavior Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
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Prasad S, Velayutham SG, Reddam VR, Stezin A, Jhunjhunwala K, Pal PK. Shaky and unsteady: Dynamic posturography in essential tremor. J Neurol Sci 2018; 385:12-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Mücke D, Hermes A, Roettger TB, Becker J, Niemann H, Dembek TA, Timmermann L, Visser-Vandewalle V, Fink GR, Grice M, Barbe MT. The effects of Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on speech dynamics in patients with Essential Tremor: An articulographic study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191359. [PMID: 29360867 PMCID: PMC5779681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic studies have revealed that patients with Essential Tremor treated with thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) may suffer from speech deterioration in terms of imprecise oral articulation and reduced voicing control. Based on the acoustic signal one cannot infer, however, whether this deterioration is due to a general slowing down of the speech motor system (e.g., a target undershoot of a desired articulatory goal resulting from being too slow) or disturbed coordination (e.g., a target undershoot caused by problems with the relative phasing of articulatory movements). To elucidate this issue further, we here investigated both acoustics and articulatory patterns of the labial and lingual system using Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) in twelve Essential Tremor patients treated with thalamic DBS and twelve age- and sex-matched controls. By comparing patients with activated (DBS-ON) and inactivated stimulation (DBS-OFF) with control speakers, we show that critical changes in speech dynamics occur on two levels: With inactivated stimulation (DBS-OFF), patients showed coordination problems of the labial and lingual system in terms of articulatory imprecision and slowness. These effects of articulatory discoordination worsened under activated stimulation, accompanied by an additional overall slowing down of the speech motor system. This leads to a poor performance of syllables on the acoustic surface, reflecting an aggravation either of pre-existing cerebellar deficits and/or the affection of the upper motor fibers of the internal capsule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Mücke
- IfL–Phonetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anne Hermes
- IfL–Phonetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Becker
- University Hospital Cologne, Department of Neurology, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Till A. Dembek
- University Hospital Cologne, Department of Neurology, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lars Timmermann
- University Hospital Marburg, Department of Neurology, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Gereon R. Fink
- University Hospital Cologne, Department of Neurology, Cologne, Germany
- University Hospital Cologne, Department of Stereotaxy and Functional Neurosurgery, Cologne, Germany
| | - Martine Grice
- IfL–Phonetics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael T. Barbe
- University Hospital Cologne, Department of Neurology, Cologne, Germany
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Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common neurologic disorders, and genetic factors are thought to contribute significantly to disease etiology. There has been a relative lack of progress in understanding the genetic etiology of ET. This could reflect a number of factors, including the presence of substantial phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity. Thus, a meticulous approach to phenotyping is important for genetic research. A lack of standardized phenotyping across studies and patient centers likely has contributed to the relative lack of success of genomewide association studies in ET. To dissect the genetic architecture of ET, whole-genome sequencing will likely be of value. This will allow specific hypotheses about the mode of inheritance and genetic architecture to be tested. A number of approaches still remain unexplored in ET genetics, including the contribution of copy number variants, uncommon moderate-effect alleles, rare variant large-effect alleles (including Mendelian and complex/polygenic modes of inheritance), de novo and gonadal mosaicism, epigenetic changes, and noncoding variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine N Clark
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elan D Louis
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York; and Departments of Neurology and of Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
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Kellner S, Morgan S, Gutierrez J, Collins K, Rohl B, Migliore F, Cosentino S, Huey ED, Louis ED, Monin JK. Perceived embarrassment and caregiver burden in essential tremor caregivers. J Neurol Sci 2017; 383:205-210. [PMID: 29246614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological disease associated with functional disability, diminished quality of life and, in some individuals, poorer balance, cognitive impairment, depression and sleep dysregulation. Individuals with ET may rely on family members and friends to act as informal caregivers to assist with daily activities and provide emotional support. There is a high prevalence of embarrassment among individuals with ET, which may be a result of the outwardly visible nature of tremor. Studies in populations with outwardly visible disability have shown that perception by caregivers of a care-recipient's social distress can contribute to caregiver burden. We hypothesize that in ET, perception by caregivers of ET participant embarrassment is a predictor for caregiver burden. Data were collected from 57 ET participants and their caregivers. We measured ET participant embarrassment using the Essential Tremor Embarrassment Assessment (ETEA), and measured perception by caregivers of ET participant embarrassment using a modified version of the ETEA. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to measure caregiver burden. Perceived embarrassment was associated with ET participant embarrassment. In linear regression models, perceived embarrassment was a stronger predictor for caregiver burden than measures of ET participant cognitive and physical impairment. The results indicate that perception of ET participant embarrassment can be burdensome for caregivers. Clinicians may wish to address patient embarrassment and perceived embarrassment to better support caregivers and ET patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kellner
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Morgan
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jesus Gutierrez
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kathleen Collins
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brittany Rohl
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Fanny Migliore
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward D Huey
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elan D Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Joan K Monin
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Margolesky J, Singer C. How tandem gait stumbled into the neurological exam: a review. Neurol Sci 2017; 39:23-29. [PMID: 28894988 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-017-3108-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tandem gait testing is an integral part of the neurological exam. It is informative in a wide variety of disorders ranging from cerebellar disease to vestibular and peripheral neuropathies, parkinsonism, and other neurodegenerative conditions. We discuss the history and development of tandem gait testing as well as its technique, utility, and limitations in the assessment of neurological conditions. Tandem gait has emerged as a tool in the assessment of cerebellar disease, Huntington disease, idiopathic Parkinson's disease, atypical parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathies, and vestibulopathies. Its origin can be deduced from experimental observation and clinical experience as far back as the early nineteenth century. Despite the long history and ubiquitous performance of tandem gait testing, there is no standardized, guideline-based protocol to model for more homogenous research and clinical practices. Such a protocol should be developed using historical texts and manuscripts as well as the consensus of the medical research community. With standard protocols, further studies could define the sensitivity of abnormal tandem gait testing in cerebellar disorders, more diffuse neurodegeneration, and peripheral pathologies. Tandem gait can be a useful marker of dysfunction in neurologic conditions whose pathologies extend beyond the vermis or vestibulocerebellar module to include interconnected networks throughout the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Margolesky
- University of Miami School of Medicine, Professional Arts Center, 1150 NW 14th Street, Suite 609, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Carlos Singer
- University of Miami School of Medicine, Professional Arts Center, 1150 NW 14th Street, Suite 609, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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Morgan S, Kellner S, Gutierrez J, Collins K, Rohl B, Migliore F, Cosentino S, Huey ED, Louis ED, Monin JK. The Experience of Essential Tremor Caregivers: Burden and Its Correlates. Front Neurol 2017; 8:396. [PMID: 28855888 PMCID: PMC5557742 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Essential tremor (ET) is associated with physical and cognitive impairments, as well as embarrassment, avoidance of social settings, and related difficulties that negatively impact the lives of patients. In similar disease contexts, burden on friends and relatives acting as caregivers has been noted and has well-documented implications. There has been no study examining caregiver burden related to ET. Methods Data were gathered from 55 ET participants enrolled in a clinical study and their caregivers. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to assess caregiver burden. To assess clinical features that may be associated with burden, we collected several variables including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, self-reported tremor disability, a videotaped neurological examination, questionnaires assessing ET participants’ suffering, caregivers’ perceptions of that suffering, and both caregiver and ET participant depressive symptoms. Spearman’s correlations were performed between caregiver burden and clinical features, and we created a multivariate linear regression model predicting caregiver burden. Results Many ET caregivers provide little to no care and experience little to no burden. However, some caregivers (11%) provide over 25 h of care/week, and 13% experience high levels of burden. Caregivers most commonly provided assistance with writing and cooking. Increased burden was associated with the ET participants’ decreased cognition, more caregiving tasks, more hours/week of caregiving activities, a longer duration of care, more ET participant falls/year, more medications taken by the ET participant, and more depressive symptoms in both the ET participant and the caregiver (all p < 0.05). ET participants’ suffering and their caregivers’ perceptions of suffering were both associated with increased burden. Neither tremor severity score nor self-reported tremor disability score was associated with increased caregiver burden. Using a multivariate linear regression model, we found that caregivers’ increased perception of their partners’ suffering was the best predictor of caregiver burden. Conclusion While not all relatives and friends of ET patients provide extensive care or experience high burden, there is a group reporting high levels of caregiver burden that requires the attention and counseling of clinicians. This burden is associated with primarily non-tremor symptoms of ET and with caregivers’ perception that their partners are suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morgan
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sarah Kellner
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jesus Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Kathleen Collins
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Brittany Rohl
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Fanny Migliore
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Edward D Huey
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Joan K Monin
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Buhmann C, Huckhagel T, Engel K, Gulberti A, Hidding U, Poetter-Nerger M, Goerendt I, Ludewig P, Braass H, Choe CU, Krajewski K, Oehlwein C, Mittmann K, Engel AK, Gerloff C, Westphal M, Köppen JA, Moll CKE, Hamel W. Adverse events in deep brain stimulation: A retrospective long-term analysis of neurological, psychiatric and other occurrences. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178984. [PMID: 28678830 PMCID: PMC5497949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective The extent to which deep brain stimulation (DBS) can improve quality of life may be perceived as a permanent trade-off between neurological improvements and complications of therapy, comorbidities, and disease progression. Patients and methods We retrospectively investigated 123 consecutive and non-preselected patients. Indications for DBS surgery were Parkinson's disease (82), dystonia (18), tremor of different etiology (21), Huntington's disease (1) and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (1). AEs were defined as any untoward clinical occurrence, sign or patient complaint or unintended disease if related or unrelated to the surgical procedures, implanted devices or ongoing DBS therapy. Results Over a mean/median follow-up period of 4.7 years (578 patient-years) 433 AEs were recorded in 106 of 123 patients (86.2%). There was no mortality or persistent morbidity from the surgical procedure. All serious adverse events (SAEs) that occurred within 4 weeks of surgery were reversible. Neurological AEs (193 in 85 patients) and psychiatric AEs (78 in 48 patients) were documented most frequently. AEs in 4 patients (suicide under GPI stimulation, weight gain >20 kg, impairment of gait and speech, cognitive decline >2 years following surgery) were severe or worse, at least possibly related to DBS and non reversible. In PD 23.1% of the STN-stimulated patients experienced non-reversible (or unknown reversibility) AEs that were at least possibly related to DBS in the form of impaired speech or gait, depression, weight gain, cognitive disturbances or urinary incontinence (severity was mild or moderate in 15 of 18 patients). Age and Hoehn&Yahr stage of STN-simulated PD patients, but not preoperative motor impairment or response to levodopa, showed a weak correlation (r = 0.24 and 0.22, respectively) with the number of AEs. Conclusions DBS-related AEs that were severe or worse and non-reversible were only observed in PD (4 of 82 patients; 4.9%), but not in other diseases. PD patients exhibited a significant risk for non-severe AEs most of which also represented preexisting and progressive axial and non-motor symptoms of PD. Mild gait and/or speech disturbances were rather frequent complaints under VIM stimulation. GPI stimulation for dystonia could be applied with negligible DBS-related side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Buhmann
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Torge Huckhagel
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja Engel
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Gulberti
- Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Hidding
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Ines Goerendt
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Ludewig
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Braass
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chi-un Choe
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kara Krajewski
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Andreas K. Engel
- Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gerloff
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Westphal
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes A. Köppen
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian K. E. Moll
- Institut für Neurophysiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hamel
- Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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41
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Louis ED, Kellner S, Morgan S, Collins K, Rohl B, Huey ED, Cosentino S. Cognitive Dysfunction Is Associated with Greater Imbalance and Falls in Essential Tremor. Front Neurol 2017; 8:154. [PMID: 28469597 PMCID: PMC5395979 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Essential tremor (ET) is not exclusively a tremor disorder; it is also associated with cognitive and gait dysfunction. However, a gap in knowledge is that the relationship between cognitive and gait dysfunction has not been studied in detail in ET. We examined the relationship between cognition and balance and falls in ET and hypothesized that cognitive dysfunction in ET patients would be associated with greater problems with balance and more falls. METHODS ET cases were recruited into the Clinical-pathological Study of Cognition in ET. A comprehensive cognitive assessment was performed. This included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to measure global cognition, multiple motor-free tests comprehensively assessing performance in each cognitive domain, and an assignment of Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. We collected data on the number of reported falls in the past year, and balance confidence was assessed using the 6-item Activities of Balance Confidence Scale. These cross-sectional analyses utilized baseline data. RESULTS There were 199 ET cases (mean age 78.6 years). In linear regression models that considered the effects of numerous confounding variables, lower global cognition (poorer cognition) was associated with greater number of falls and reduced balance confidence (p < 0.05). In similar adjusted linear regression models, higher CDR score (poorer functional cognition) was associated with greater number of falls and reduced balance confidence (p < 0.05). We also assessed whether number of falls and balance confidence was associated with performance in specific cognitive domains. Number of falls was most closely linked with performance on tests of executive function, and balance confidence, with executive function, attention, and memory. CONCLUSION These data indicate that a correlate of poorer cognition in ET is greater number of falls and lower balance confidence. Cognition should enter the dialog with ET patients as an issue of clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D. Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Kellner
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Morgan
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kathleen Collins
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brittany Rohl
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Edward D. Huey
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) might be a family of diseases unified by the presence of kinetic tremor, but also showing etiological, pathological, and clinical heterogeneity. In this review, we will describe the most significant clinical evidence, which suggests that ET is linked to the cerebellum. Data for this review were identified by searching PUBMED (January 1966 to May 2015) crossing the terms "essential tremor" (ET) and "cerebellum," which yielded 201 entries, 11 of which included the term "cerebellum" in the article title. This was supplemented by articles in the author's files that pertained to this topic. The wide spectrum of clinical features of ET that suggest that it originates as a cerebellar or cerebellar outflow problem include the presence of intentional tremor, gait and balance abnormalities, subtle features of dysarthria, and oculomotor abnormalities, as well as deficits in eye-hand coordination, motor learning deficits, incoordination during spiral drawing task, abnormalities in motor timing and visual reaction time, impairment of social abilities, improvement in tremor after cerebellar stroke, efficacy of deep brain stimulation (which blocks cerebellar outflow), and cognitive dysfunction. It is unlikely, however, that cerebellar dysfunction, per se, fully explains ET-associated dementia, because the cognitive deficits that have been described in patients with cerebellar lesions are generally mild. Overall, a variety of clinical findings suggest that in at least a sizable proportion of patients with ET, there is an underlying abnormality of the cerebellum and/or its pathways.
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Espay AJ, Lang AE, Erro R, Merola A, Fasano A, Berardelli A, Bhatia KP. Essential pitfalls in "essential" tremor. Mov Disord 2017; 32:325-331. [PMID: 28116753 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although essential tremor has been considered the most common movement disorder, it has largely remained a diagnosis of exclusion: many tremor and nontremor features must be absent for the clinical diagnosis to stand. The clinical features of "essential tremor" overlap with or may be part of other tremor disorders and, not surprisingly, this prevalent familial disorder has remained without a gene identified, without a consistent natural history, and without an acceptable pathology or pathophysiologic underpinning. The collective evidence suggests that under the rubric of essential tremor there exists multiple unique diseases, some of which represent cerebellar dysfunction, but for which there is no intrinsic "essence" other than a common oscillatory behavior on posture and action. One approach may be to use the term essential tremor only as a transitional node in the deep phenotyping of tremor disorders based on historical, phenomenological, and neurophysiological features to facilitate its etiologic diagnosis or serve for future gene- and biomarker-discovery efforts. This approach deemphasizes essential tremor as a diagnostic entity and facilitates the understanding of the underlying disorders to develop biologically tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J Espay
- UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurology, Gardner Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Center, Toronto Western Hospital and The Edmond J. Safra Program in PD, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roberto Erro
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aristide Merola
- UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurology, Gardner Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alfonso Fasano
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Center, Toronto Western Hospital and The Edmond J. Safra Program in PD, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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44
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Louis ED, Hernandez N, Chen KP, Naranjo KV, Park J, Clark LN, Ottman R. Familial Aggregation of the Cerebellar Signs in Familial Essential Tremor. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 7:439. [PMID: 28176975 PMCID: PMC5288993 DOI: 10.7916/d8kk9c8q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Although the hallmark feature of essential tremor (ET) is kinetic tremor, patients may exhibit additional motor features (e.g., intention tremor and mild gait ataxia) that are markers of an underlying abnormality of cerebellar function. ET is also a highly familial disorder, but we do not know whether the presence and expression of cerebellar signs are similar across family members. There are simply no published data. The alternative possibility is that these features are not heritable. We tested the specific hypothesis that the presence of cerebellar signs (i.e., intention tremor, tandem gait difficulty) ran in ET families. Methods ET probands and relatives enrolled in a genetic study at Yale and Columbia universities underwent a detailed videotaped neurological examination. Results There were 187 enrollees (59 probands, 128 affected relatives). In a bivariate logistic regression model, the presence of intention tremor in the proband was not a predictor of the presence of intention tremor in the relatives (odds ratio [OR] = 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28–1.27, p = 0.18). In a similar model, the presence of greater tandem gait difficulty (i.e., a tandem gait score in the upper quartile) in the proband was not a predictor of the presence of such difficulty in the relatives (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.41–3.66, p = 0.73). Discussion The presence of cerebellar signs did not aggregate in families with ET. In the current dataset, these did not seem to be disease features that were heritable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nora Hernandez
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Karen P Chen
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kelly V Naranjo
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jemin Park
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lorraine N Clark
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruth Ottman
- G.H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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When the word doesn't come out: A synthetic overview of dysarthria. J Neurol Sci 2016; 369:354-360. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Ramirez-Zamora A, Boggs H, Pilitsis JG. Reduction in DBS frequency improves balance difficulties after thalamic DBS for essential tremor. J Neurol Sci 2016; 367:122-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Robertson EE, Hall DA, McAsey AR, O'Keefe JA. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome: phenotypic comparisons with other movement disorders. Clin Neuropsychol 2016; 30:849-900. [PMID: 27414076 PMCID: PMC7336900 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2016.1202239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to review the typical cognitive and motor impairments seen in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), essential tremor (ET), Parkinson disease (PD), spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in order to enhance diagnosis of FXTAS patients. METHODS We compared the cognitive and motor phenotypes of FXTAS with each of these other movement disorders. Relevant neuropathological and neuroimaging findings are also reviewed. Finally, we describe the differences in age of onset, disease severity, progression rates, and average lifespan in FXTAS compared to ET, PD, SCAs, MSA, and PSP. We conclude with a flow chart algorithm to guide the clinician in the differential diagnosis of FXTAS. RESULTS By comparing the cognitive and motor phenotypes of FXTAS with the phenotypes of ET, PD, SCAs, MSA, and PSP we have clarified potential symptom overlap while elucidating factors that make these disorders unique from one another. In summary, the clinician should consider a FXTAS diagnosis and testing for the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene premutation if a patient over the age of 50 (1) presents with cerebellar ataxia and/or intention tremor with mild parkinsonism, (2) has the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) sign, global cerebellar and cerebral atrophy, and/or subcortical white matter lesions on MRI, or (3) has a family history of fragile X related disorders, intellectual disability, autism, premature ovarian failure and has neurological signs consistent with FXTAS. Peripheral neuropathy, executive function deficits, anxiety, or depression are supportive of the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Distinct profiles in the cognitive and motor domains between these movement disorders may guide practitioners in the differential diagnosis process and ultimately lead to better medical management of FXTAS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Robertson
- a Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology , Rush University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Deborah A Hall
- b Department of Neurological Sciences , Rush University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Andrew R McAsey
- a Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology , Rush University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Joan A O'Keefe
- a Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology , Rush University , Chicago , IL , USA
- b Department of Neurological Sciences , Rush University , Chicago , IL , USA
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Gibson WS, Jo HJ, Testini P, Cho S, Felmlee JP, Welker KM, Klassen BT, Min HK, Lee KH. Functional correlates of the therapeutic and adverse effects evoked by thalamic stimulation for essential tremor. Brain 2016; 139:2198-210. [PMID: 27329768 PMCID: PMC4958905 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for essential tremor. Gibson et al. use functional MRI to reveal patterns of activation that correlate with stimulation-induced therapeutic and adverse effects. Their results suggest that thalamic DBS controls tremor, and induces paraesthesias, through distal modulation of tremor-related network nodes. Deep brain stimulation is an established neurosurgical therapy for movement disorders including essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. While typically highly effective, deep brain stimulation can sometimes yield suboptimal therapeutic benefit and can cause adverse effects. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that intraoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging could be used to detect deep brain stimulation-evoked changes in functional and effective connectivity that would correlate with the therapeutic and adverse effects of stimulation. Ten patients receiving deep brain stimulation of the ventralis intermedius thalamic nucleus for essential tremor underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during stimulation applied at a series of stimulation localizations, followed by evaluation of deep brain stimulation-evoked therapeutic and adverse effects. Correlations between the therapeutic effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (3 months postoperatively) and deep brain stimulation-evoked changes in functional and effective connectivity were assessed using region of interest-based correlation analysis and dynamic causal modelling, respectively. Further, we investigated whether brain regions might exist in which activation resulting from deep brain stimulation might correlate with the presence of paraesthesias, the most common deep brain stimulation-evoked adverse effect. Thalamic deep brain stimulation resulted in activation within established nodes of the tremor circuit: sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, contralateral cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei (FDR q < 0.05). Stimulation-evoked activation in all these regions of interest, as well as activation within the supplementary motor area, brainstem, and inferior frontal gyrus, exhibited significant correlations with the long-term therapeutic effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (P < 0.05), with the strongest correlation (P < 0.001) observed within the contralateral cerebellum. Dynamic causal modelling revealed a correlation between therapeutic effectiveness and attenuated within-region inhibitory connectivity in cerebellum. Finally, specific subregions of sensorimotor cortex were identified in which deep brain stimulation-evoked activation correlated with the presence of unwanted paraesthesias. These results suggest that thalamic deep brain stimulation in tremor likely exerts its effects through modulation of both olivocerebellar and thalamocortical circuits. In addition, our findings indicate that deep brain stimulation-evoked functional activation maps obtained intraoperatively may contain predictive information pertaining to the therapeutic and adverse effects induced by deep brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Gibson
- 1 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Hang Joon Jo
- 1 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Paola Testini
- 1 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Shinho Cho
- 1 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Joel P Felmlee
- 2 Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Kirk M Welker
- 2 Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Bryan T Klassen
- 3 Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA
| | - Hoon-Ki Min
- 1 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA 2 Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA 4 Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kendall H Lee
- 1 Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 55905, USA 4 Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
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Louis ED, Collins K, Rohl B, Morgan S, Robakis D, Huey ED, Cosentino S. Self-reported physical activity in essential tremor: Relationship with tremor, balance, and cognitive function. J Neurol Sci 2016; 366:240-245. [PMID: 27288815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical inactivity may be the result of medical comorbidities. Inactivity itself may also lead to important health consequences, especially in older patients. Essential tremor (ET) patients may have a variety of physical and cognitive problems that could detrimentally impact on level of physical activity. Yet, to our knowledge, there have been no studies of physical activity in these patients. METHODS Self-reported physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) in 100 ET cases (mean age 80.5years) enrolled in a clinical study. Additional clinical measures were the total tremor score, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score and number of steps taken off of the straight line during tandem gait (a measure of balance). RESULTS Lower PASE score was associated with older age, more tandem gait difficulty, higher total tremor score and lower MOCA score (all p<0.05). In a linear regression model that included total tremor score, MOCA score, number of steps off of the straight line during tandem gait, and age, higher total tremor score (p=0.046) and more steps off of the straight line during tandem gait (p=0.014) were independently associated with reductions in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Several of the motor features of ET (tremor and imbalance) are independently associated with reductions in level of physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan D Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kathleen Collins
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brittany Rohl
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sarah Morgan
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daphne Robakis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Edward D Huey
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; G.H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; G.H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Picillo M, Lozano AM, Kou N, Munhoz RP, Fasano A. Programming Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor and Dystonia: The Toronto Western Hospital Algorithms. Brain Stimul 2016; 9:438-452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 01/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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