cerebellar tremor

Last edited 05/2022 and last reviewed 06/2022

Cerebellar tremor presents as a unilateral or bilateral, low-frequency intention tremor(1).

  • is a slow, broad tremor of the extremities (2)
  • it occurs at the end of a purposeful movement
  • it may be caused by damage to the cerebellum resulting from stroke, brainstem tumor, or multiple sclerosis.
  • cerebellar lesions produce kinetic tremor on the ipsilateral side of the body
  • finger-to-nose testing results in worsening tremor as the finger approaches the nose.
  • it is a 6-8 Hz tremor that is of variable amplitude.

Clinical features include:

  • aggravation by change in posture and movement
  • terminal accentuation, i.e. worse at end of movement
  • relief by rest
  • major sites for this tremor are the limbs, trunk and head
  • associated features of dysmetria, ataxia and nystagmus

A cerebellar tremor is caused by a lesion of the red nucleus. It may occur as part of Benedikt's syndrome.

Management:

  • seek expert advice
  • possible medications to treat cerebellar tremors include topiramate and ondansetron (3)

Reference:

Related pages:

Benedikt's syndrome

cerebellar disease