title: Beta-adrenoreceptor mechanisms in essential tremor; a double-blind placebo controlled trial of metoprolol, sotalol and atenolol.
abstract: In order to elucidate the mode of action of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists in essential tremor, the efficacy of chronic oral administration of metoprolol, atenolol and sotalol was compared in a randomised, double-blind placebo controlled trial in twenty-four patients. Only sotalol proved superior to placebo on both subjective and "objective" assessments. Metoprolol and sotalol produced comparable degrees of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonism as judged by the blockade of standing tachycardia. Atenolol, in the dose used, produced a trend towards a greater cardiac chronotropic effect. These findings provide no support for the concept that central or peripheral beta 1-adrenoreceptor mechanisms are important in essential tremor. The beneficial effect of beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists may be mediated predominantly through peripheral beta 2-adrenoreceptor mechanisms.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011674:Pulse; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology; D013015:Sotalol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D011412:Propanolamines; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D001262:Atenolol; D013015:Sotalol; D008790:Metoprolol