Objective: To clinically and phenotypically describe essential tremor (ET) and parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and compare their familial histories in first- and second-degree relatives..
Background: Essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are common neurological disorders. Both may share clinical-pathological traits despite being distinct. A small percentage of patients develop Parkinson’s disease after prolonged essential tremor. Family history of Parkinson’s disease is more common in these patients. Trait predisposition to this link is unknown.
Method: A cohort of ET patients tracked from 2023 to 2024 was compared to a demographically similar PD cohort, taking into account age, disease duration, phenotype, and familial history of ET and PD.
Results: N=126; PD 63 and ET 63. Median age (years): PD 71, ET 72 (p=0.31). Male: PD 39 (61.9%), ET 40 (63.4%) (p=0.99). Duration of disease (years): PD 5, ET 10 (p<0.001). In patients with Parkinson’s disease, the family history of the condition is as follows: present in 9 (14.3%), absent in 38 (60.3%), and unknown in 16 (25.4%). In ET patients: present 15 (23.4%), absent 46 (71.9%), undetermined 3 (4.7%). Presence, absence, and uncertain (p < 0.003). Family history of ET in ET patients: present in 34 (53.9%), absent in 25 (39.7%), uncertain in 4 (6.3%). Duration of disease (years) in ET patients with a familial history of PD: present 8 versus absent 10 (p=0.53).
The median age (years) of ET patients with a family history of PD is 65, compared to 72 for those without such a history (p=0.06).
There were no significant variations in tremor phenotypes (head, voice, upper limbs, symmetrical/asymmetrical, action ± rest) among essential tremor patients, regardless of Parkinson’s disease family history.
Conclusions:
Both PD and ET patients had a varied familial history of PD, with no differences. No association was found between ET phenotypes and PD familial history
Conclusion: Both PD and ET patients had a varied familial history of PD, with no differences. No association was found between ET phenotypes and PD familial history.Both PD and ET patients had a varied familial history of PD, with no differences. No association was found between ET phenotypes and PD familial history.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
R. Sanjinez, J. Bestoso. Family History of Parkinson’s Disease in Patients with Essential Tremor and in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Its Association with Different Phenotypes. [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/family-history-of-parkinsons-disease-in-patients-with-essential-tremor-and-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-and-its-association-with-different-phenotypes/. Accessed November 20, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/family-history-of-parkinsons-disease-in-patients-with-essential-tremor-and-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-and-its-association-with-different-phenotypes/