ArticleTremor and other hyperkinetic movements (New York, N.Y.)2024
Effect of Propranolol on Motor Cortex Excitability in Essential Tremor: An Exploratory Study.
Article in Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements (New York, N.Y.), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Posterior Parietal Cortex on Visual and Vestibular Function.NeuroSci · 2026Article
- Pathophysiological Role of Primary Motor Cortex in Essential Tremor.Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Essential tremor, the world's most prevalent movement disorder, lacks a clear understanding of its pathophysiology. Propranolol, a non-specific beta-blocker capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, is a primary choice for essential tremor treatment. While its tremor-reducing effects are generally attributed to peripheral actions, various uses hint at central adrenergic effects. Nevertheless, propranolol's precise impact on the central nervous system in essential tremor subjects remains unexplored. Methods: In this study, we employed transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess the influence of propranolol on the excitability of the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with essential tremor, compared to an age- and sex-matched control group. Cortical excitability parameters were measured following placebo and propranolol administration, encompassing resting and active motor thresholds, motor evoked potential characteristics, cortical silent period, and the input/output curve. Results: Distinct effects were observed across the two cortical hemispheres. Essential tremor patients displayed inhibition of the left M1 cortex and heightened excitability in the right M1 cortex four hours after propranolol administration, but not following placebo. Conclusions: These findings suggest potential differential noradrenergic excitatory and inhibitory modulation. However, comprehensive understanding necessitates further investigations, including left-handed participants and more diverse essential tremor subpopulations. This study underscores the need for continued exploration to unravel propranolol's complex effects on motor cortex excitability in essential tremor.
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