ABSTRACT
I. Neuropathology 67
II. Neurochemistry 70
A. Proteins 70
B. Amino Acids 71
C. Adrenergic System and Catecholamines 71
D. GABA 72
E. Adenosine 73
III. Conclusions 73
References 74
I. NEUROPATHOLOGY
Essential tremor is the most common pathological tremor in humans (1) and is
estimated to be 10-20 times as common as Parkinson’s disease (2). Yet, the scien-
tific information on essential tremor is only a small fraction of the Parkinson’s
disease literature. Essential tremor is regarded as a dysfunction within the
central nervous system (CNS), but the site and nature of the pathological
process remain unknown. Pathological studies of essential tremor are scarce.
To date, there are ,50 essential tremor patients who have had detailed neuropathological studies (3). Routine neuropathological studies have thus far failed
to identify specific anatomical sites or pathological processes characteristic of
essential tremor.
