Rodent Models of Tremor

Abstract

Tremor is a rhythmical, involuntary, oscillatory movement of a body part, and it is one of the most frequently encountered abnormal involuntary movements. Tremor is a principal symptom of neurological disorders such as essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders. Unfortunately, the actual pathophysiological mechanisms underlying tremor remain poorly understood, and thus no effective therapeutic strategies have been developed. The creation and analysis of animal models for tremor (Martin et al. 2005) allow a better understanding of the tremor-generating mechanisms. This chapter reviews the animal models of tremor, particularly those induced by pharmacological agents in rodents.