title: A randomized placebo-controlled comparative trial of gabapentin and propranolol in essential tremor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  New medication is needed to treat essential tremor. Preliminary evidence suggests that gabapentin may be effective in the treatment of this disorder.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of gabapentin in a comparative, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial of patients who have essential tremor.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 patients with essential tremor (6 with a new onset and 10 with a 2-week washout period of previous treatment with propranolol hydrochloride) received gabapentin (Neurontin), 400 mg 3 times daily; propranolol hydrochloride, 40 mg 3 times daily; and placebo for 15 days with a 1-week washout period between treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Major outcome evaluations consisted of a Tremor Clinical Rating Scale, accelerometric recordings, and a self-reported disability scale obtained before drug intake on study days 1 and 15 of each treatment period. In addition, the initial (day 1) and superimposed (day 15) drug effects were studied before and 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after drug intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At day 15, both gabapentin and propranolol demonstrated significant and comparable efficacy in reducing tremor from baseline in all tremor measures. The initial drug effects evaluated through accelerometry revealed no significant changes with the use of a placebo, but gabapentin and propranolol use significantly reduced tremor power.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gabapentin may be useful for the treatment of essential tremor.
authors: Department of Neurology, Sant Pau Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gironell
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kulisevsky
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Barbanoj
authors: D
authors: D
authors: López-Villegas
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Hernández
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Pascual-Sedano
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000588:Amines; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D013565:Sympatholytics; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D011433:Propranolol