A single-blind, open-label trial of sodium oxybate for myoclonus and essential tremor

The authors performed an open-label, rater-blinded, add-on study of sodium oxybate in 20 patients with ethanol-responsive myoclonus or essential tremor. Blinded ratings of videotaped examinations showed improvements in myoclonus at rest, stimulus-sensitive myoclonus, action myoclonus, functional performance, and postural and kinetic tremor. Tolerability was acceptable, and more than half of the patients chose to continue treatment after the trial. Double-blind placebo-controlled studies in these disorders are warranted.