Essential Tremor

Essential Tremor

  • Overview
  • Approach
  • Appointments
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is essential tremor?

    Essential tremor, also known as familial tremor, is the most common movement disorder, affecting an estimated 5 percent of people worldwide. It can affect people of any age and tends to run in families. The tremor is usually in the hands and arms but can also be in the head, voice, chin, trunk and legs. Both sides of the body tend to be equally affected.

    The condition is characterized by action tremors, meaning the tremors are noticeable when the affected area is moving, but improve when at rest. Most people seek treatment when the condition begins to interfere with their quality of life. Many primary care physicians can diagnose and treat this condition. However, if the diagnosis is in doubt, or if your medications are not working optimally, you may need to see a neurologist.

    Our Approach

    If you’ve been diagnosed with essential tremor, the U-M Health Movement Disorders Program offers the latest nonsurgical and surgical therapies delivered by a medical team who are leaders in their fields. We treat between 400 and 500 essential tremor patients every year. Our neurologists have specialized training in the evaluation and treatment of this condition and our Surgical Therapies Improving Movement (STIM) program is home to one of the largest deep brain stimulation centers in the Midwest region.

    Appointment Information

    To make an appointment, call 734-764-6831.

    How is essential tremor diagnosed?

    On your first visit, our neurologists will conduct a thorough history and neurological examination. We look at the tremors, what situations they occur in, which medications might cause them and at thyroid function. We may also take images of your brain.

    How is essential tremor treated?

    The first line of treatments for essential tremor is medications, such as propranolol and primidone. Many people will see some improvement from the medications, although they may not make the tremors go away completely. When essential tremor is interfering with quality of life and medications aren’t working, surgery is an option.

    Deep brain stimulation is the most commonly-performed surgery for essential tremor and is highly effective. The Surgical Therapies Improving Movement (STIM) program is responsible for evaluating and treating tremor patients with deep brain stimulation. Our multidisciplinary evaluation program includes members from neurology, neurosurgery, psychology, psychiatry, speech pathology, radiology and social work. We believe the comprehensive nature of our program - unique in Michigan - leads to better patient outcomes.

    Deep brain stimulation involves placing an electrode in a structure of the brain called the thalamus. It is typically placed on one side of the head, and connected by a wire that runs underneath the skin to a battery in the chest. When electrical stimulation is delivered to the brain, the tremor improves. It’s like a pacemaker for the brain, instead of the heart. Deep brain stimulation has several advantages over ablation (where cells in the brain are destroyed), including reversibility. At U-M Health, we have developed a wide array of ways to improve DBS, including special imaging tools that help doctors more accurately place the electrodes, and intraoperative motor and speech testing that result in fewer side effects for the patient.

    Locations
    • Geriatric Neurology Clinic | East Ann Arbor Health & Geriatrics Center 4260 Plymouth Rd
      Level 1
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2700       Get Directions
    • Neurology Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Neurology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Neurology Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 1 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5322       Get Directions
    • Neurosurgery Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 2 Reception G
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5338       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Roger L Albin, MD

    Roger L Albin, MD

    Professor

    Neurology

    Kevin Showen Chen, MD

    Kevin Showen Chen, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Neurological Surgery

    Kelvin Lin-Yu Chou, MD

    Kelvin Lin-Yu Chou, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Neurology

    Praveen Dayalu, MD

    Praveen Dayalu, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Neurology

    Amy Ferng, MD

    Amy Ferng, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Neurology

    Amelia Louise Heston, MD

    Amelia Louise Heston, MD

    Clinical Instructor

    Neurology

    Christopher Chauncey Spears, MD

    Christopher Chauncey Spears, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Neurology

    Matthew Steven Willsey, MD

    Matthew Steven Willsey, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Neurological Surgery

    Kara Jean Wyant, MD

    Kara Jean Wyant, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Neurology

    News & Stories
    Man stands with woman in front of water and sand in a tropical setting. Second picture on the right is a man in a hospital gown walking with a health care worker besde him
    Health Lab

    Timely treatment helps former baseball pro survive on-field stroke with no complications

    Two days after his players recognized stroke symptoms at practice, a baseball and softball coach left the hospital with zero complications or lingering effects thanks to timely treatment.
         blood vial blue gloves blurred background
    Health Lab

    Researchers develop models to help diagnose ALS earlier through blood biomarkers

    New machine learning models by Michigan Medicine may help diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, earlier on through a blood sample.
         side by side photos of kids smiling in purple shirts
    Health Lab

    The faces of epilepsy: finding strength in hope

    There are over 60 types of epilepsy, 30 kinds of seizures and four categories of complexity. Five families share their unique journeys with the condition.
         black background with long bendy purple nerve with different pain points in red throughout
    Health Lab

    Study reveals the dual role for a protein critical for healing nerve damage

    A recent University of Michigan study in mice finds a specific protein inside of the nerves, called Sarm1, appears to be essential for nerve regeneration.
         family photo
    Health Lab

    Teen with severe epilepsy finds seizure relief through ketogenic diet 

    Since starting the ketogenic diet to treat Dravet syndrome, 16-year-old Armando hasn't had seizure clusters or hospital stays from his rare form of epilepsy.
         photo of patient in MRI machine with computers closer up seeing scan
    Health Lab

    Ischemic stroke: what’s the right treatment?

    Most strokes are ischemic, meaning blood flow to part of the brain is blocked by a clot. Here, a neurologist shares treatment options and how providers decide when time is short.