THE NEW TREMOR CLASSIFICATION: BENEFITS AND UNSOLVED PROBLEMS

Abstract

The new tremor classification proposed by the International Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Society in 2018 classifies tremor based on two axes. In Axis 1, the clinical picture of tremor and the presence of any accompanying signs are described in detail. The syndromes resulting from classification in Axis 1 are described. Axis 2 refers to the etiology of tremor and identifies idiopathic (familial, or sporadic), genetic and acquired causes of tremor. The definition of essential tremor (ET) was changed, and the category of essential tremor – Plus, is suggested to indicate patients with ET, who have some other soft clinical signs. The term isolated tremor is introduced, and such focal isolated tremors are excluded from the diagnosis of ET. This article describes the new classification and discusses its advantages but also the unsolved problems with regard to ET that the new classification seems to recycle.