Familial tremor

Alternative names:

tremor - familial

Definition:

A neurologic disorder that tends to run in families, involving tremors (shaking), which is typically worsened with activity and purposeful movement.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A familial tremor affects about 1 out of 15,000 people. Unlike an essential tremor, which may occur as an isolated case, a familial tremor occurs more than once within a family group. Tremors occur at any age but are most common in older people.

A familial tremor is usually a relatively benign condition, affecting movement or voice quality but seldom having any other effects. It involves a rhythmic, moderately rapid tremor (shaking) of voluntary muscles. Purposeful movements may make the tremors worse. There may be difficulty holding or using small objects (such as eating or writing utensils). Emotional stress may also increase the tremors. Over time, the tremors may affect the hands, arms, head, voice box (larynx), eyelids, or other muscles. An essential tremor rarely involves the legs or feet. In children, it is usually limited to the hands and rarely requires treatment.

The exact cause is unknown. It is likely to be an inherited (usually dominant) disorder of some type.