What causes essential tremor?

About half of essential tremor cases appear to result from a genetic mutation, although a specific gene hasn’t been identified.

This form is referred to as familial tremor. It isn’t clear what causes essential tremor in people without a known genetic mutation. Essential tremor doesn’t cause other health problems, but Parkinson’s disease is associated with stooped posture, slow movement and shuffling gait. However, people with essential tremor sometimes develop other neurological signs and symptoms, such as an unsteady gait (ataxia). Parts of body affected.