This invention provides methods for inhibiting or reducing thalamic damage in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of laquinimod, wherein the subject is a human patient afflicted with a form of multiple sclerosis or presenting a clinically isolated syndrome who has been determined to have thalamic damage at baseline, a subject afflicted with a disease or disorder other than a form of multiple sclerosis or a clinically isolated syndrome, or a subject not afflicted with a form of multiple sclerosis or a presenting clinically isolated syndrome, and laquinimod and laquinimod pharmaceutical compositions for use thereof. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting or reducing tremor or spasticity in a subject afflicted by tremor or spasticity, comprising administering to the subject an amount of laquinimod, and laquinimod and laquinimod pharmaceutical compositions for use thereof.