Long-term follow-up of thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential and parkinsonian tremor.
Thirteen consecutive patients with thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) were examined serially for 3 to 5 years. Initially, all demonstrated at least 50% improvement in contralateral tremor. At last follow-up, three of eight patients with Parkinson disease no longer used DBS because tremor had markedly improved, and for two, motor fluctuations and levodopa-induced dyskinesias became the major disability, with tremor less troublesome. Two of five patients with essential tremor had contralateral tremor improvement after ongoing stimulation for 2 years; two developed marked tolerance to DBS.
Kumar
Rajeev
R
Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada. rajeev_kumar@msn.com
Lozano
Andres M
AM
Sime
Elspeth
E
Lang
Anthony E
AE
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014202:Tremor / Q000601:surgery*