The neural network basis of Essential Tremor

This project aims to identify the neural underpinnings of a common movement disorder, known as
Essential Tremor. Typically, Essential Tremor is a posture or movement related-tremor, in which the
aetiology of the disease is unknown. Previous research has implicated the involvement of abnormal
activity within the olive-cerebellar-thalamo-cortical network in patients with Essential tremor. However,
evidence derived from human research is largely correlational, and is limited in its spatial and/or
temporal resolution, and so do not reveal much about the underlying neural mechanisms. Monoamine
oxidase-A inhibitor harmaline has been used as model of Essential tremor, as it also causes
abnormal rhythmic activity in the olive-cerebellar circuit, resulting in movement-related tremor. Using
the animal model of Essential tremor, and a range of electrophysiological and neuromodulation
techniques, the inferior olive has been implicated as a key generator of abnormal tremor-related
oscillations. However, the neural dynamics of the whole network have not been examined at a cellular
level, to investigate functional and effective connectivity between regions of this network that result in
tremor. To address this, the project aims to use mathematical analysis of electrophysiological data
from the harmaline model of Essential tremor, in addition to electrophysiological data from patients.