[Neuroelectrophysiological basis and surgical treatment of essential tremor].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between limb tremor and neuronal firing in thalamus (Vim) and retrospectively review the clinical effects and safety of the surgical treatment of essential tremor (ET).


METHODS
Forty-two ET patients received microelectrode-guided thalamotomy and 11 cases were quantitatively evaluated with FAHN rating scales pre- and post-operatively.


RESULTS
There were electrophysiological tremor-related neurons in ventrolateral part of thalamus. Lesioning of those neurons abolished contralateral limb tremor in all of the patients. No permanent contralateral weakness, dysarthria and hemorrhage were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
"Tremor cell" in thalamus plays a key role in the symptom of ET patients. Destruction of those cells may completely and permanently abolish tremor symptom.
Li
Jian-yu
JY
Beijing Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China. jyl1972@sina.com
Chen
Ge
G
Zhuang
Ping
P
Li
Yong-jie
YJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004594:Electrophysiology; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013788:Thalamus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery