2023-07-06 17:00:00
It is the most frequent pathology of abnormal movements. Even before Parkinson’s disease, with which it is sometimes confused.
The uncontrollable tremors that characterize it mainly affect the arms and hands. But they can also affect other parts of the body such as the neck for example.
There are two types. The action tremor which “appears during a voluntary movement such as bringing a cup to one’s lips”, explains the Medtronic laboratory.
And the postural tremor that “appears when maintaining a position, such as reaching out the hand or the arm”. In fact, “most people with essential tremor experience both types of tremors.”
What are the causes ?
This pathology can appear from childhood, but its frequency increases with age.
“Genetic mutations are involved in 50 to 70% of cases,” notes the Federation for Brain Research (FRC). “A mutation in the gene for a nervous system receptor, the D3 receptor, has been identified in a number of patients. However, this is not the only mutation involved. »
Other factors likely play a role in the development of this disease. “As with a large number of brain pathologies, it is likely that the appearance of essential tremor is caused by an interaction between genetic factors and environmental factors”, continues the FRC.
And if the “exact mechanism of the pathology is poorly known, scientific work has shown that the cerebellum is involved in the majority of cases”.
To note : this disease affects approximately 300,000 people in France, 30,000 of whom suffer from a severe or even disabling form.
Sources: Federation for Brain Research – Medtronic – Vidal
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