View clinical trials related to Essential Tremor.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and initial effectiveness of MRI-guided focused ultrasound thermal ablation of a designated area in the brain of patients suffering from medication-refractory Essential Tremor, using the ExAblate transcranial system. The ExAblate system is a medical device that involves a focused ultrasound system and an MRI scanner. ExAblate delivers a pulse of focused ultrasound energy, or sonication, to the targeted tissue. In this particular study the targeted tissue is a unilateral thermal lesion created in the ventralis intermedius nucleus of the thalamus. The treatment begins with a series of standard diagnostic MR images to identify the location and shape of tumor to be treated. The ExAblate computer uses the physician's designation of the target volume to plan the best way to cover the target volume with small spots called "sonications". These treatment spots are cylinder shaped. Their size depends on sonication power and duration. During the treatment, a specific MR scan, which can be processed to identify changes in tissue temperature, provides a thermal map of the treatment volume to confirm the therapeutic effect. The thermal map is used to monitor the treatment in progress, and confirm that the ablation is proceeding according to plan, thus closing the therapy loop. The ExAblate transcranial operates a helmet-shaped transducer (currently utilizing 1000-element phased array transducer) positioned above the subject head. The ExAblate transcranial system also includes means to immobilize the subject head, cool the interface water, and software for CT analysis and phase correction computation. The ExAblate transcranial system is an experimental device and is being investigated in this study.
In this proposal, in addition to the conventional MRCP recording, the dipoles and sources of the different subcomponents of MRCP will also be analyzed with the brain electric source analysis (BESA) to evaluate the difference in the solutions and source strength underlying the MRCP between normal controls and patients with ET.
The present study aims at investigating cognitive functions requiring orbitofrontal control, namely decision-making and facial emotion recognition. The investigators hypothesize that decision-making and facial emotion recognition are impaired in patients with essential tremor (ET) due to frontal lobe dysfunction which may have consequences in daily social life.
Background: - Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder involving uncontrollable shaking, which over time can interfere with mobility and affect routine aspects of daily living. Several medications are used to treat ET, but these medications are often only partially effective and can have side effects. About two-thirds (66%) of people with ET have some relief from drinking alcohol, which suggests that alcohol affects the part of the brain causing the tremor. However, more research is needed to better understand the effects of alcohol or what areas of the brain might be important in the response. Objectives: - To study to what extent alcohol is reducing tremor in a group of patients with essential tremor. - To use transcranial magnetic stimulation to study the effects of alcohol on essential tremor. Eligibility: - Individuals who are at least 21 years of age, have been diagnosed with essential tremor and have tremor in both hands, and can tolerate being off all medications for essential tremor for up to 4 weeks. Design: - This study has one screening visit (1 to 2 hours), followed by one study visit (3 to 5 hours). Participants might be asked to also take part in one additional study visit (3 to 5 hours). The maximum period between the study visits is 3 months. - Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical examination, and blood tests. At this visit, participants will receive information about how to safely taper off their current ET medications before the start of the study. - Participants must be willing to abstain from drinking any alcohol or caffeine (or consuming foods with caffeine such as chocolate) for at least 2 days before the study visits. Participants must also fast overnight (for at least 8 hours) before the study visits. - At the first study visit, participants will receive a single drink of alcohol (mixed with a noncaffeinated drink) and will complete movement tests to determine whether the alcohol improves the tremor. Alcohol levels will be monitored throughout the visit. - At the second study visit, participants will have an electrocardiogram to measure heart electrical activity and determine if they are able to safely have transcranial magnetic stimulation. Participants will then receive an intravenous infusion of alcohol and complete questionnaires during the infusion to provide information about its effects. Then, transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to study brain electrical activity, as well as muscle movements and tremor activity, while under the influence of the alcohol infusion. - After each study visit, participants will remain at the clinical center until the effects of the alcohol have worn off. Participants will be able to resume taking their ET medications after the end of the study.
To determine the effects of upper limb forearm cooling on Essential Tremor upper limb tremor using a more practical method of limb cooling through a forearm cold pack.
The purpose of this study is to assess the recharge feature of the Activa RC System in patients who are receiving Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's Disease (PD), Essential Tremor (ET), or dystonia.
This is part of a larger study for which participants have already completed memory and thinking tests. In this study, investigators are trying to learn how deep-brain stimulation affects memory skills in essential tremor (ET) patients. We are especially trying to figure out how stimulation on each side of the brain may affect working memory.
Background: - Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable shaking. Several medications are used to treat ET; however, they are often only partly effective and can have side effects. - Research studies have shown that octanol, a food additive similar to alcohol, can improve tremor in animals. Octanol is less likely to make people drunk than alcohol. Two earlier NIH studies found that one form of octanol, called 1-octanol, did improve tremor in some people and had few side effects. - In the body, 1-octanol is converted to octanoic acid. Researchers are interested in finding out whether octanoic acid can help people with ET. Objectives: - To find out if octanoic acid can improve hand tremor in people with essential tremor. - To measure levels of octanoic acid in the blood after it is taken. Eligibility: - Patients 21 years of age and older with ET, who are willing to abstain from alcohol, caffeine, and all medications as required by the study and who are willing and able to fast for up to 12 hours at a time. - Participants may not be of Asian or Native American ancestry because of genetic susceptibilities to the intoxicating effects of the study drug. Design: - This study requires a 3-day hospital admission as well as two outpatient visits. - Visit 1 (outpatient): Screening visit and blood alcohol level test - Medical history, physical and neurological examination, a blood test, and an electrocardiogram to measure heart function. Women who are able to get pregnant will have a urine pregnancy test. - Patients will consume 1.5 ounces of alcohol per drink (up to three drinks at least 30 minutes apart), and be tested to evaluate how the tremor responds. Researchers will draw blood to measure blood alcohol level about 1 hour after the first drink and closely monitor patients for signs of intoxication. - Inpatient examination - Preparation: Researchers will prepare a schedule to stop any tremor medications that patients might be on. Patients may not drink alcohol or eat or drink anything with caffeine, including chocolate, for at least 2 days before admission. - Day 1: Vital signs, blood (and urine pregnancy) tests, and electrocardiogram. Patients will be asked to wear a tremor monitor, similar to a wristwatch. Patients will also have IV lines inserted for blood draws. - Days 2 and 3: Randomized study medication (octanoic acid on one day, placebo on the other day). Patients will fast before taking the drug, but will be allowed to eat and drink after the tests are completed (around noon). - Blood will be drawn before taking the study drug and again (a total of nine times) after taking the drug. - Tremor will be measured during the study, before and after taking the drug. - Visit 2 (outpatient): 4 to 7 days after discharge - Blood test and an electrocardiogram, and a series of questionnaires regarding the study.
Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the Wii remote game control device for use in the study of Movement Disorders. The term "Movement Disorders" refers to a group of abnormal medical conditions characterized by involuntary body movements. Current treatment of these disorders is primarily geared to improve symptoms. Rating scales are usually used to grade response to treatment. These rating scales require special training, take a lot of time, and often present with great variability. Thus, the development of a simple device to perform efficacy measurements offers a great advantage over current methods and is less costly.
This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of T2000 when used to treat patients with moderate to severe essential tremor over an 18 month period.