Essential tremor - drug treatments present and future.

Abstract

Introduction: The main treatment options for essential tremor (ET), which is probably one of the most common movement disorders, have been propranolol and primidone, for many years. This review aims to synthesize therapeutic attempts with other drugs.

Areas covered: We have reviewed the current state of the pharmacological treatment of ET, both in patients and in experimental models of this disease, with special emphasis on the data published in the last 5 years. Based on the results in experimental models of ET, proposals have been made for future alternative therapeutic options.

Expert opinion: The use of drugs other than propranolol and primidone has not shown a greater degree of efficacy than these in the treatment of ET, although according to certain evidence-based guidelines topiramate and phenobarbital could be alternative drugs. The results on the effectiveness of other drugs have been variable. For patients with refractory ET, especially those with head tremor, local injections with botulinum toxin A may be useful. According to the results of various experimental models, T calcium channel blockers, modulators of GABAA receptors (GABAARs), GABAB receptors (GABABRs), and glutamatergic neurotransmission, and drugs that decrease the expression of LINGO-1 could be interesting options for the future, among others.