Function of the cerebellum in Parkinsonian rest tremor and Holmes' tremor

Ann Neurol. 1999 Jul;46(1):126-8. doi: 10.1002/1531-8249(199907)46:1<126::aid-ana20>3.0.co;2-3.

Abstract

We describe a patient who developed Parkinson's disease (PD) 17 years after resection of his right cerebellum because of a Lindau tumor. He showed a classic 4.3-Hz resting tremor on the left side but a 3.1-Hz resting, postural, and intention tremor on the right side compatible with midbrain tremor (Holmes' tremor). We conclude that the generator of the tremor in PD cannot be located within the olivocerebellar loop. The cerebellum, however, seems to modulate the tremor frequency of parkinsonian rest tremor and may prevent the rest tremor from transforming into a postural and goal-directed tremor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Cerebellum / physiopathology*
  • Cerebellum / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed
  • Tremor / complications
  • Tremor / diagnostic imaging
  • Tremor / physiopathology*