Cognitive functioning in individuals with "benign" essential tremor.
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.
Lacritz
Laura H
LH
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 75390-8898, USA. llacri@mednet.swmed.edu
Dewey
Richard
R
Giller
Cole
C
Cullum
C Munro
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index