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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
[Reversible hypogeusia during bilateral thalamic stimulation for essential tremor]
J Roggendorf1, J Vent, M Maarouf
1Klinik für Neurologie, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt, Deutschland. roggendorf@med.uni-frankfurt.de
Der Nervenarzt
|January 29, 2008
Summary
Deep brain stimulation for essential tremor can cause reversible taste loss. This study shows the thalamus is crucial for human taste perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM-DBS) is a key therapy for essential tremor (ET).
- VIM-DBS can cause side effects like paresthesia, dysarthria, and gait issues in some patients.
Observation:
- This report details a unique case of VIM-DBS-induced reversible hypogeusia (reduced taste).
- The patient experienced this alongside retroinsular cortical deactivation during effective VIM stimulation.
- 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) was used for measurement.
Findings:
- This is the first documented instance of VIM-DBS causing reversible hypogeusia.
- The study provides direct evidence for the thalamus's role as a relay in the human gustatory pathway.
- Retroinsular cortical deactivation was observed during effective VIM stimulation.
Implications:
- Gustatory dysfunction (taste impairment) must be considered in the pre- and postsurgical care of VIM-DBS patients.
- This research highlights the thalamus's critical function in human taste processing.
- Understanding these effects can refine VIM-DBS patient management and improve outcomes.
