THE EFFECT OF AGEING UPON PHYSIOLOGICAL TREMOR

Abstract

The tremor of the outstretched hand was recorded by means of an ink-writer device in 347 subjects ranging in age from 20 to 96 years of age. Frequencies were as follows: 20 to 40 years, 9-11 c/s; 40 years onwards, a steady decline to 6.5 c/s in the 70-74 years group; and 6 c/s in 4 subjects representing the 10th decade. In childhood the frequency is reported as 6 c/s. The 10 c/s tremor begins abruptly at puberty and then eventually declines to stabilize where it started in childhood. This supports the concept that one controlling influence is replaced by another. Increasing synaptic delay and changes in the reflex arc are also discussed in relation to physiological tremor. Slower tremor of old age, however, is not an abnormality but a normal accompanying feature of advancing years.