News For Players With Essential Tremor

[timacn]

I've read posts from pickers that have had their playing diminished by essential tremor. Essential Tremor runs in my family, so I read everything I can on the subject.

This recent treatment looks like it could well be quite effective. (and it was just approved by the FDA)

https://www.fusfoundation.org/diseas...sential-tremor

[dhergert]

Interesting.

Hmmm, "Three out of 21 patients..."

I'd really like better odds. Or did I read that wrong?

[timacn]

Interesting.

Hmmm, "Three out of 21 patients..."

I'd really like better odds. Or did I read that wrong?

Hi Don. I'm not a physician. I think the "3 out of 21" stat you cite refers to a study dealing with bilateral treatment. I believe the initial procedure, and the one approved by the FDA, deals only with a procedure targeting one area of the brain, not two. I think those singular treatments have a much better success rate, at least for now. The hope is, of course, that doctors can learn to use the technique to safely treat several areas of the brain at once so that tremors in both hands (and perhaps elsewhere) can be addressed at the same time. The research is continuing.