Stability and tremor in the fingers associated with cerebellar hemisphere and cerebellar tract lesions in man.

Abstract

Stability and tremor in the fingers were assessed by a new technique in patients with unilateral cerebellar syndromes. In 11 patients with unilateral cerebellar hemisphere lesions tremor was observed with either clear tremor at 5-7 Hz or prolongation of the tremor profile out to 11 Hz. In 10 patients with unilateral cerebellar lesions associated with ipsilateral past-pointing there was an asymmetry in finger stability. Compared with normal subjects there was a significant decrease in stability contralateral to the lesion, while the ipsilateral side's stability was not different from normal. In patients with high brain stem lesions at the level of cranial nerves VII and above, tremor had frequencies of 5-7 Hz. In those with lower brain stem lesions, often with long tract signs as well, the frequencies of tremor were faster, 8-11 Hz, which may reflect damage to cerebellar inflow tracts. A broad if not specific correlation was found between clinical condition, site of lesion and finger stability and tremor.