title: Efficacy and tolerability of pregabalin in essential tremor: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
abstract: We performed a double-blind, crossover-design study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of pregabalin (PGB) in patients with essential tremor (ET). Twenty patients (11 women; mean age of 62.2+/-12.7 years, mean ET duration of 25.5+/-14.9 years) with ET were randomized for treatment with PGB (150-600 mg/day) or placebo, titrated over 6 weeks. Identical assessments of the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) (primary endpoint), Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), Quality of Life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire (QUEST), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and a sleep hygiene questionnaire (HD-16) were made at the baseline, at the end of treatment periods for both drug and placebo, and following the 2-week washout period preceding crossover. We found no improvement in any of the TRS measures and a statistically significant worsening of QUEST scores while patients were taking PGB. Adverse events were similar in frequency to previously published studies of PGB, the most common being drowsiness and dizziness.
authors.affiliation: Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Suite 1801, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: Anthony L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shinawi
authors.forename: Abigail M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kissel
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jankovic
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid