Echogenic substantia nigra in patients with orthostatic tremor

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2005 Jul;112(7):915-20. doi: 10.1007/s00702-004-0236-6. Epub 2004 Nov 3.

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies suggest that the nigrostriatal dopaminergic transmission is impaired in patients with primary orthostatic tremor.

Methods: We used transcranial sonography (TCS) to examine the morphology of the substantia nigra (SN) in four patients with primary orthostatic tremor (OT).

Results: TCS revealed an SN echogenicity in all patients, in three patients unilaterally, in one patient bilaterally.

Conclusions: Our data suggest nigrostriatal dopaminergic deficits in OT patients. The exact impact of these dopaminergic deficits on OT generation is unclear.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology*
  • Tremor / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial