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Cognitive functioning in individuals with “benign” essential tremor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2002

LAURA H. LACRITZ ,
RICHARD DEWEY JR. ,
COLE GILLER,  and
C. MUNRO CULLUM
LAURA H. LACRITZ
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
RICHARD DEWEY JR.
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
COLE GILLER,
Affiliation:
Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
C. MUNRO CULLUM
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
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Abstract

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common type of movement disorder, although its etiology and neurophysiological substrates remain unclear. While thought to be a benign condition, it has yet to be studied from a neuropsychological perspective. We examined the neurocognitive functioning of 13 nondemented subjects with severe ET, including aspects of memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention. Results revealed that 12/13 subjects demonstrated impairment on 1 or more cognitive measures in comparison with published normative data. The pattern of findings was suggestive of relative dysfunction of frontal-mediated processes not unlike that seen in Parkinson's disease. These deficits were found in subjects irrespective of the presence of cognitive complaints, depression, or the existence of other potential neurocognitive risk factors. These findings suggest that mild cognitive deficits are not uncommon in association with severe ET and may be related to subcortical systems. (JINS, 2002, 8, 125–129.)

Keywords

Essential tremorCognitive functioningMovement disordersNeuropsychology
Type
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , January 2002 , pp. 125 - 129
Copyright
© 2002 The International Neuropsychological Society

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