Master Intention Tremor with Picmonic for Medicine

Intention tremor is characterized as being high-amplitude and low-frequency, meaning the affected extremity will deviate a relatively large distance from the intended path in long, slow waves that are easily noticeable due to their large amplitude.

Another pathognomonic characteristic of intention tremor is the worsening of the tremor as the extremity approaches its intended target. For example in a patient performing finger-to-nose testing, their finger will deviate more wildly and broadly as it approaches either the examiner's finger or their own nose.

Another characteristic feature of intention tremor is the tendency of the affected limb to overshoot or undershoot its target. For example, in finger to nose testing a patient attempting to touch the examiner's finger may either shoot their finger far beyond that of the examiners, or stop it far short of the examiner's finger.

Intention tremor is typically caused by damage to the ipsilateral cerebellum. The cerebellum aids in movement, specifically in processing and providing constant feedback that allows for continuous correction during action. Damage to the cerebellum therefore disrupts the nervous system's ability to make these corrections. Damage to the cerebellum affects the ipsilateral limb because outgoing cerebellar nerves cross twice before reaching their target in the motor cortex. This damage can result from anything causing a lesion to the brain, including stroke, trauma, and neurodegeneration.

Intention tremor can generally be diagnosed with a thorough neurologic exam that will exhibit the characteristics described above.

While not necessary for the diagnosis of intention tremor, MRI can be helpful in defining the neurologic pathology causing it.

There is no established pharmacologic or procedural treatment for the management of intention tremor. Rather, a common approach to treatment is to help patients manage these symptoms by working with physical and occupational therapists.