The Complex Spectrum of Orthostatic Tremor

A review of cases expands the list of movement disorders that can be associated with OT.

Orthostatic tremor (OT) is characterized by an extremely fast, oscillatory, rhythmic tremor. The disorder is uniquely triggered by standing and is often relieved by walking. OT has a much broader clinical spectrum than was once thought, and its treatment may be more difficult than was initially proposed. To provide more information on the clinical spectrum of OT, researchers performed a large retrospective chart and neurophysiological review of 26 patients with OT confirmed on physiological studies, who were examined at their expert movement disorders center.

Of the 26 patients, 11 (42.3%) had pure OT, 7 (26.9%) had OT with associated postural tremor of the limbs, and 8 (30.8%) had OT plus another movement disorder (OT-plus): Parkinson disea…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)