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[Neuroelectrophysiological basis and surgical treatment of essential tremor]
Jian-yu Li1, Ge Chen, Ping Zhuang
1Beijing Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China. jyl1972@sina.com
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.
Conclusion:
"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.