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Catherine, As far as symptoms go, the tremor in ET is tremor in motion--that is, the tremor occurs when the limbs are being used. PD tremor is resting tremor-- that is, the limbs are OK when being used but tremble when at rest. Katherine Hepburn apparently has ET, not PD, and her choice of treatment is no treatment. If alcohol (in moderation, of course) quiets the tremor, chances are it's ET, not PD; alcohol has no effect on PD tremor (in most cases). ET is treated with proprandolol or primadone. Surgical treatment has been thalamotomy; currently, the thalamic stimulation surgery is also being used. International Tremor Foundation, Dept. PM, 833 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago IL 60607 for more information, including referrals to physicians, researchers, and support groups. Joanne Sandstrom and (P) Don Sandstrom, 58, 21 [log in to unmask]