Abstract
In nine patients with essential tremor (14 thalami), the authors varied frequency, voltage, and pulsewidth of thalamic deep brain stimulation, and quantified postural tremor. Low frequency stimulation aggravated tremor; the effect increased with increasing voltage. High frequency stimulation had a U-shaped relation to voltage, with minimum tremor at an optimal voltage characteristic of the individual thalamus and increases in voltage beyond the optimum reduced tremor suppression.Based on the hypothesis that tremor response to deep brain stimulation resulted from two competing processes, the authors successfully modeled the relationship of tremor to voltage and frequency of stimulation using a mathematical model. The optimum voltage predicted by the model agreed with the empirically measured value. Moreover, the model made accurate predictions at high stimulation frequency based on measurements made at low stimulation frequency.Our results indicate there is an optimal voltage for tremor suppression by thalamic deep brain stimulation in most patients with essential tremor. The optimum varies across patients, and this is related to electrode position. A mathematical model based on "competing processes" successfully predicts optimum voltage in individual patients. This supports a competing processes model of deep brain stimulation effects.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
