Neurophysiologic Study of Patient With Essential Tremor and Dystonic Tremor
Completed
Conditions studied: Essential Tremor, Cervical Dystonia, Focal Dystonia
In brief
Background: Essential tremor is when a person has tremor, but no other neurological symptoms. Dystonic tremor is when a person also has dystonia. Dystonia is a condition in which muscle contraction causes changes in posture. Researchers do not fully know what areas of the brain cause these tremors, or how the types differ. They also do not know what tests can identify the differences. Objective: To look at differences between essential tremor and dystonic tremor. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with or without tremor Design: Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, and urine tests. Those with tremor will complete questionnaires about how tremor affects them. The screening and study visits can be done on the same day or on separate days. Participants will have 1 or 2 study visits. These include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tremor testing. For MRI, participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a cylinder that takes pictures. Sensors on the skin measure breathing, heart rate, and muscle activity. This takes about 2 hours. Tremor testing will include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electrical stimulation of the fingers, doing a movement task, and recording of tremor movements. For TMS, two wire coils will be held on the scalp and a brief magnetic field will be produced. A brief electrical current will pass through the coils. For the other tests, small sticky pad electrodes will be put on the skin. Participants will move their hand when they hear a sound. They will get weak electrical shocks to their fingers. These tests will take 3-4 hours. Participants can take part in either or both parts of the study.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT03041714
- Run by
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- People needed
- 2
- Starts
- 2017-04-07
- Expected to finish
- 2018-03-22
- Last updated by the study team
- 2018-08-01
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may not qualify if…
- Patients:
- Botulinum toxin treatment < 3 months prior to visit.
- Employees and/or staff of NINDS
- Has used illegal drugs within the past 6 months based on history. The intent is to exclude those with drug use that may affect study results. Participants who appear to be intoxicated at the time of testing will be rescheduled.
- Has more than 7 alcoholic drinks a week in the case of a woman and 14 alcoholic drinks a week in the case of a man.
- Abnormal findings on neurologic exam (other than tremor and dystonia in patient group)
- Has had a brain tumor, a stroke, head trauma, epilepsy or a history of seizures.
- Has major depression or any major mental disorders (axis I disorders)
- Has a neurologic disorder other than tremor or dystonia
- Has had a head injury where there was a loss of consciousness for more than a few seconds.
- Currently taking primidone, anticholinergics or benzodiazepines.
- Healthy Volunteers:
- Employees and/or staff of NINDS
- Has used illegal drugs within the past 6 months based on history. The intent is to exclude those with drug use that may affect study results. Participants who appear to be intoxicated at the time of testing will be rescheduled.
- Has more than 7 alcoholic drinks a week in the case of a woman and 14 alcoholic drinks a week in the case of a man.
- Abnormal findings on neurologic exam.
- Has had a brain tumor, a stroke, head trauma, epilepsy or a history of seizures.
- Has a neurologic disorder other than tremor or dystonia
- Has major depression or any major mental disorders (axis I disorders)
- Has had a head injury where there was a loss of consciousness for more than a few seconds.
- Additional Exclusion Criteria for MRI:
- Has metal in the body, such as a cardiac pacemaker, brain stimulator, shrapnel, surgical metal, clips in the brain, cochlear implants, or metal fragments in the eye
- Pregnancy
- Unable to lie flat on the back for the expect length of the study up to 3 hours.
- Feeling uncomfortable being in a small space for up to 3 hours.
Where it is running
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.