Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a common movement disorder characterized by postural and kinetic tremor, primarily affecting the upper limbs. Etiology is idiopathic in most cases, though familial inheritance suggests autosomal dominant transmission in some forms. Pathophysiology involves dysfunction of cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuits. Diagnosis is clinical, based on tremor characteristics and exclusion of secondary causes. Management includes pharmacologic therapy (beta-blockers, primidone), botulinum toxin injections, or deep brain stimulation in refractory cases; prognosis is chronic but non-life-threatening.