More MS news articles for April 2004

A new treatment for tremor?

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/research/tremor.html

April 14, 2004
Multiple Sclerosis Society

Up to 75% of people with MS are estimated to experience tremor. The most common form of this symptom in people with MS is called essential (or intention) tremor (ET), which occurs when people want to do or reach for something. Ethanol (a type of alcohol) alleviates tremor in animal models, but effects are not known in humans. This study aimed to assess the tolerability, safety and effectiveness of a low dose of 1-octanol (a type of ethanol which is used as a food flavouring), on ET.

Twelve participants with ET received capsules of either 1-octanol or placebo (a “control” substance known to cause no effect). The intensity of the tremor was measured before treatment, and up to 6 hours afterwards, using a device attached to the arm, which registered the amount of movement.

Results showed that a single dose of 1-octanol significantly reduced the intensity of tremor for up to 90 minutes after administration. There was no change in tremor in the placebo group. Minimal side effects were reported - 2 of the 6 participants receiving 1-octanol, and 1 in the placebo group developed short lasting headaches, which responded to paracetamol. There were no signs of intoxication.

These preliminary findings suggest a potential role for the use of 1-octanol in ET, although only 6 people received the treatment in this study. The authors suggest that further studies are needed to look at the effects on a larger number of people and to investigate the effect of reducing tremor on relevant functional activities, such as dressing or writing. Further studies on the tolerability, effectiveness and potential side effects, as well as the duration of action of larger doses are proposed.

This report was published in Neurology, 2004, Vol. 62, pages 122-124.