title: Effect of zonisamide on essential tremor: a pilot crossover study in comparison with arotinolol.
abstract: We performed a pilot, crossover trial of zonisamide (ZNS) on essential tremor patients. Patients were randomly selected to start either ZNS or arotinolol treatment for 2 weeks. After a washout period, the patients were switched to an alternative drug. The assessment of tremor was carried out using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin's clinical rating scale for tremor at baseline and 2 weeks after administration of each drug. There was a significant improvement after ZNS and arotinolol administration compared with the baseline. There was no significant difference in the antitremor effect between ZNS and arotinolol; however, ZNS was more effective for tremors of cranial nerve areas. Although the number of enrolled patients was limited in the present study, this open-label pilot study suggests that ZNS may have a therapeutic potential for essential tremor. A controlled trial of this drug in the future would be valuable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Hideto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miwa
authors.forename: Tomoyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078305:Zonisamide
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; C024523:arotinolol; D000078305:Zonisamide