High-dose thiamine and essential tremor

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Mar 30:2018:bcr2017223945. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223945.

Abstract

Essential tremor is a common neurological disease. The medical treatment of this affection currently involves the use of propranolol, primidone and other drugs. These drugs, however, are often not effective in reducing tremor and cause side effects in a large share of the patients treated. The treatment with intramuscular high-dose thiamine has led to a rapid, remarkable and persistent improvement of the symptoms in two patients with essential tremor. This result suggests the possibility that high doses of intramuscular thiamine may be an affordable alternative, highly effective and long-lasting medical treatment that has shown no relevant side effect.

Keywords: brainstem / cerebellum; movement disorders (other than Parkinsons).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Essential Tremor / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Thiamine / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin B Complex / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Thiamine