Rare tremor disorder

Last reviewed

🖨 Print for my doctorAdvocacy Hub →
ORPHA:306712
Who is this for?
Show terms as
8Treatment centers

Where are you in your journey?

UniteRare data is sourced from FDA.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov, Orphanet, OMIM, and NORD.
Report missing data

Overview

Rare tremor disorder (Orphanet code 306712) refers to an uncommon condition in which a person experiences involuntary, rhythmic shaking movements that do not fit neatly into more well-known tremor categories such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease tremor. Because this is classified as a rare and often poorly characterized tremor condition, the exact cause may vary from person to person. In some cases, a genetic basis is suspected, while in others the underlying cause remains unclear. The tremor can affect the hands, arms, head, voice, or other parts of the body. It may occur at rest, during movement, or when holding a posture. The severity can range from mild and barely noticeable to significant enough to interfere with daily tasks like writing, eating, or dressing. Some people also experience additional neurological symptoms depending on the specific subtype of the disorder. Treatment is largely symptomatic. Medications commonly used for other tremor disorders — such as beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, or certain sedatives — may be tried. Physical and occupational therapy can help people develop strategies to manage daily activities. In severe cases, deep brain stimulation surgery may be considered. Because this is a rare condition, management is often guided by a neurologist with expertise in movement disorders, and treatment plans are highly individualized.

Key symptoms:

Involuntary shaking of the hands or armsHead tremor or nodding movementsVoice trembling or shaky speechTremor that worsens with movement or holding a positionTremor at restDifficulty with fine motor tasks like writing or buttoning clothesTrouble holding objects steadilyBalance or coordination problemsWorsening of tremor with stress or fatigueLeg or trunk tremor in some cases

Inheritance

Variable

Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene

Age of Onset

Variable

Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood

Orphanet ↗NORD ↗

Treatments

No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Rare tremor disorder.

View clinical trials →

No actively recruiting trials found for Rare tremor disorder at this time.

New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov ↗Join the Rare tremor disorder community →

No specialists are currently listed for Rare tremor disorder.

View NORD Rare Disease Centers ↗Undiagnosed Disease Network ↗

Treatment Centers

8 centers
🏥 NORD

Baylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center

Baylor College of Medicine

📍 Houston, TX

🏥 NORD

Stanford Medicine Rare Disease Center

Stanford Medicine

📍 Stanford, CA

🔬 UDN

NIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program

National Institutes of Health

📍 Bethesda, MD

🔬 UDN

UCLA UDN Clinical Site

UCLA Health

📍 Los Angeles, CA

🔬 UDN

Baylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site

Baylor College of Medicine

📍 Houston, TX

🔬 UDN

Harvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site

Massachusetts General Hospital

📍 Boston, MA

🏥 NORD

Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine

Mayo Clinic

📍 Rochester, MN

👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine

🏥 NORD

UCLA Rare Disease Day Program

UCLA Health

📍 Los Angeles, CA

Travel Grants

No travel grants are currently matched to Rare tremor disorder.

Search all travel grants →NORD Financial Assistance ↗

Community

Open Rare tremor disorderForum →

No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Rare tremor disorder.

Start the conversation →

Latest news about Rare tremor disorder

No recent news articles for Rare tremor disorder.

Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.

Caregiver Resources

NORD Caregiver Resources

Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.

Mental Health Support

Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.

Family & Caregiver Grants

Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.

Social Security Disability

Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.

Questions for your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment

  • Q1.What specific type of tremor disorder do I have, and is there a known cause?,Should I have genetic testing, and what could the results tell us?,What medications or therapies are most likely to help my type of tremor?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could participate in?,Will my tremor get worse over time, and is there anything I can do to slow progression?,Should my family members be evaluated or tested?,What adaptive tools or strategies can help me with daily tasks?

Common questions about Rare tremor disorder

What is Rare tremor disorder?

Rare tremor disorder (Orphanet code 306712) refers to an uncommon condition in which a person experiences involuntary, rhythmic shaking movements that do not fit neatly into more well-known tremor categories such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease tremor. Because this is classified as a rare and often poorly characterized tremor condition, the exact cause may vary from person to person. In some cases, a genetic basis is suspected, while in others the underlying cause remains unclear. The tremor can affect the hands, arms, head, voice, or other parts of the body. It may occur at rest,