Combined deep brain stimulation and thalamotomy for tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease

We report two patients with tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD) treated with unilateral thalamotomy of the ventralis intermedius nucleus (Vim) combined with the subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS or the posterior subthalamic area (PSA)-DBS. One year after the surgery, thalamotomy of the area from the Vim to the PSA showed improvement not only in tremor but also in rigidity and akinesia. PSA- or STN-DBS with low intensity stimulation eliminated residual PD symptoms. Combined DBS and thalamotomy may provide long-term improvement of the majority of PD symptoms using lower therapeutic stimulation voltages.
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research