Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-r6qrq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T23:23:53.267Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cognitive functioning in individuals with “benign” essential tremor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2002

LAURA H. LACRITZ ,
RICHARD DEWEY JR. ,
COLE GILLER,  and
C. MUNRO CULLUM
LAURA H. LACRITZ
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
RICHARD DEWEY JR.
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
COLE GILLER,
Affiliation:
Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
C. MUNRO CULLUM
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Essential tremor (ET) is the most common type of movement disorder, although its etiology and neurophysiological substrates remain unclear. While thought to be a benign condition, it has yet to be studied from a neuropsychological perspective. We examined the neurocognitive functioning of 13 nondemented subjects with severe ET, including aspects of memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention. Results revealed that 12/13 subjects demonstrated impairment on 1 or more cognitive measures in comparison with published normative data. The pattern of findings was suggestive of relative dysfunction of frontal-mediated processes not unlike that seen in Parkinson's disease. These deficits were found in subjects irrespective of the presence of cognitive complaints, depression, or the existence of other potential neurocognitive risk factors. These findings suggest that mild cognitive deficits are not uncommon in association with severe ET and may be related to subcortical systems. (JINS, 2002, 8, 125–129.)

Keywords

Essential tremorCognitive functioningMovement disordersNeuropsychology
Type
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , January 2002 , pp. 125 - 129
Copyright
© 2002 The International Neuropsychological Society

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. ( 1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
Bucher, S.F., Seelos, K.C., Dodel, R.C., Reiser, M., & Oertel, W.H. ( 1997). Activation mapping in essential tremor with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Annals of Neurology, 41, 32– 40.Google Scholar
Busenbark, K.L., Nash, J., Nash, S., Hubble, J.P., & Koller, W.C. ( 1991). Is essential tremor benign? Neurology, 41, 1982– 1983.Google Scholar
Cummings, J.L. & Benson, D.F. ( 1984). Subcortical dementia: Review of an emerging concept. Archives of Neurology, 41, 874– 879.Google Scholar
Daum, I. & Ackermann, H. ( 1997). Neuropsychological abnormalities in cerebellar syndromes—fact or fiction? International Review of Neurobiology, 41, 455– 471.Google Scholar
Delis, D.C., Kramer, J.H., Kaplan, E., & Ober, B.A. ( 1987). California Verbal Learning Test. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Delis, D.C., Massman, P.J., Butters, N., & Salmon, D.P. ( 1991). Profiles of demented and amnesic patients on the California Verbal Learning Test: Implications for the assessment of memory disorders. Psychological Assessment, 3, 19– 26.Google Scholar
Deuschl, G., Bain, P., & Brin, M. ( 1998). Consensus statement of the Movement Disorder Society on Tremor. Ad Hoc Scientific Committee. Movement Disorders, 13 ( Suppl. 3), 2– 23Google Scholar
Folstein, M.F., Folstein, S.E., & McHugh, P.R. ( 1975). “Mini-Mental State.” A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12, 189– 198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heaton, R.K., Chelune, G.J., Talley, J.L., Kay, G.G., & Curtiss, G. ( 1993). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources .
Heaton, R.K, Grant, I., & Matthews, C.G. ( 1991). Comprehensive Norms for an Expanded Halstead-Reitan Battery. Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.
Hua, S.E., Lenz, F.A., Zirh, T.A., Reich, S.G., & Dougherty, P.M. ( 1998). Thalamic neuronal activity correlated with essential tremor. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 64, 273– 276.Google Scholar
Hubble, J.P., Busenbark, K.L., & Koller, W.C. ( 1989). Essential tremor. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 12, 453– 482.Google Scholar
Kaplan, E., Goodglass, H., & Weintraub, S. ( 1983). The Boston Naming Test ( 2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger.
Regard, M. ( 1981). The left frontal lobe of man and the suppression of habitual responses in verbal categorical behavior. Neuropsychologia, 12, 323– 330.Google Scholar
Ruff, R.M. ( 1988). Ruff Figural Fluency Test administration manual. San Diego, CA: Neuropsychological Resources.
Spreen, O. & Strauss, E. ( 1991). A compendium of neuropsychological tests. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Spreen, O. & Strauss, E. ( 1998). A compendium of neuropsychological tests ( 2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Tröster, A.I. ( 1998). Assessment of movement and demyelinating disorders. In P.J. Snyder & P.D. Nussbaum (Eds.), Clinical neuropsychology: A pocket handbook for assessment (pp. 266– 303). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Van der Werf, Y.D., Witter, M.P., Uylings, H.B.M., & Jolles, J. ( 2000). Neuropsychology of infarctions in the thalamus: A review. Neuropsychologia, 38, 613– 627.Google Scholar
Wechsler, D. ( 1981). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised. New York: The Psychological Corporation.
Wechsler, D. ( 1987). Wechsler Memory Scale–Revised manual. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.