Effect of ethosuximide on rest tremor in the MPTP monkey model

Abstract
Based on the hypothesis that low‐threshold calcium conductance in the thalamus might be involved in the pathophysiology of parkinsonian tremor, ethosuximide was given chronically to a monkey previously treated with MPTP and displaying exceptionally a typical rest tremor. After 5 days of daily treatment, the tremor was reduced by 60%. Diltiazem and verapamil which act on different calcium channels had no such effect. Ethosuximide also potentiated the antitremor effect of the dopamine D2 agonist LY‐171555.