Propranolol Reduces Parkinson's Tremor and Inhibits Tremor-Related Activity in the Motor Cortex: A Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Parkinson's disease (PD) resting tremor is thought to be initiated in the basal ganglia and amplified in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical circuit. Because stress worsens tremor, the noradrenergic system may play a role in amplifying tremor. We tested if and how propranolol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, reduces PD tremor and whether or not this effect is specific to stressful conditions.

Methods

In a cross-over, double-blind intervention study, participants with PD resting tremor received propranolol (40 mg, single dose) or placebo (counter-balanced) on 2 different days. During both days, we assessed tremor severity (with accelerometry) and tremor-related brain activity (with functional magnetic resonance imaging), as well as heart rate and pup

SUBMITTER: van der Heide A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11889531 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature