Differential Diagnosis for Resting Tremors
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Parkinson's disease: This is the most common cause of resting tremors, characterized by a pill-rolling tremor that is most prominent at rest and decreases with voluntary movement.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Essential tremor: Although essential tremor typically presents as an action tremor, some patients may exhibit resting tremors, especially in more advanced cases.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies: This neurodegenerative disorder can present with resting tremors, cognitive decline, and visual hallucinations.
- Parkinson-plus syndromes (e.g., multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy): These conditions often present with parkinsonian features, including resting tremors, but may have additional symptoms such as autonomic dysfunction or vertical gaze palsy.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Wilson's disease: This rare genetic disorder can cause resting tremors, as well as other neurological symptoms, and is potentially treatable with chelation therapy.
- Neurosyphilis: This condition can cause a variety of neurological symptoms, including resting tremors, and is important to diagnose due to its treatability with antibiotics.
- Rare diagnoses
- Huntington's disease: This autosomal dominant disorder can cause chorea, but some patients may exhibit resting tremors, especially in the early stages.
- Spinocerebellar ataxia: Some subtypes of this disorder can cause resting tremors, in addition to ataxia and other neurological symptoms.
- Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS): This condition is caused by a premutation in the FMR1 gene and can cause resting tremors, ataxia, and other neurological symptoms in older adults.