Also known as familial tremor, benign essential tremor or hereditary tremor, essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk.

It is often confused with Parkinson’s disease and dystonia.

Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET never seek medical care though most would benefit from treatment.

ET is due to abnormal communication between certain areas of the brain, including the cerebellum, thalamus and brain stem. In the majority of people, ET is inherited. Each child of a parent with ET has a 50 percent chance of inheriting it.

So far, researchers have located two genes associated with ET.

The First ET Support Group in Canada will meet in Toronto

Date: Sunday February 27th

Place: 750 Spadina (Spadina & Bloor) Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

Time: 2 PM

RSVP and information: [email protected] www.essentialtremor.org