Parkinson disease vs Essential tremor
How to tell Parkinson disease and Essential tremor apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Parkinson tremor is resting plus bradykinesia; essential tremor is action/postural without bradykinesia.
Side by side
Resting tremor with bradykinesia, rigidity, shuffling gait, and postural instability.
Bilateral symmetric action tremor during movement or posture, often improved by alcohol and with family history.
Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra reduces basal ganglia modulation.
Action tremor circuit disorder without the parkinsonian motor syndrome.
Bradykinesia is required to support Parkinson disease clinically.
Normal tone and gait with isolated action tremor supports essential tremor.
The trap
Older age plus tremor alone is not enough for Parkinson disease; asymmetric rest tremor plus bradykinesia is the stronger clue.
Watch it explained
Test it nowThe repair move
Classify tremor by timing and symmetry: rest/asymmetric with bradykinesia points Parkinson; bilateral action tremor points essential tremor.
Try a free question
CoreA patient has resting pill-rolling tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, shuffling gait, and reduced arm swing. Which diagnosis is most likely?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Parkinson disease. Rest tremor plus bradykinesia and rigidity points to Parkinson disease.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Essential tremor is an action/postural tremor without bradykinesia.
- C. Cerebellar ataxia causes intention tremor and dysmetria.
- D. Huntington disease causes chorea and psychiatric/cognitive changes.
- E. Wilson disease can cause movement disorder but has liver/copper clues.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What is the fastest separator for Parkinson disease vs Essential tremor?
Parkinson tremor is resting plus bradykinesia; essential tremor is action/postural without bradykinesia.
What clue should make you choose Parkinson disease?
Resting tremor with bradykinesia, rigidity, shuffling gait, and postural instability.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Parkinson disease from Essential tremor?
Parkinson tremor is resting plus bradykinesia; essential tremor is action/postural without bradykinesia.
What is the key clue for Parkinson disease?
Resting tremor with bradykinesia, rigidity, shuffling gait, and postural instability.
What is the key clue for Essential tremor?
Bilateral symmetric action tremor during movement or posture, often improved by alcohol and with family history.
What is the common trap with Parkinson disease vs Essential tremor?
Older age plus tremor alone is not enough for Parkinson disease; asymmetric rest tremor plus bradykinesia is the stronger clue.