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Published on: December 13, 2017
Thalamic deep brain stimulation improves eyeblink conditioning deficits in essential tremor.
M Kronenbuerger1, V M Tronnier, M Gerwig
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Experimental Neurology
|April 9, 2008
Summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) improved eyeblink conditioning in essential tremor (ET) patients, suggesting it counteracts olivo-cerebellar pathway dysfunction. This finding highlights DBS potential in treating ET-related learning deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Essential tremor (ET) is linked to olivo-cerebellar pathway disturbances.
- Eyeblink conditioning deficits are observed in ET patients, indicating impaired associative learning dependent on these circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on eyeblink conditioning in ET patients.
- To determine if DBS modulates the olivo-cerebellar dysfunction associated with ET.
Main Methods:
- Delay eyeblink conditioning was assessed in three groups: ET patients with DBS (ET-DBS), ET patients without DBS (ET), and healthy controls.
- ET-DBS patients were tested on two consecutive days with DBS switched off (Day 1) and on (Day 2).
Main Results:
- On Day 1, both ET-DBS and ET groups showed diminished eyeblink conditioning compared to controls.
- On Day 2, with DBS switched on, ET-DBS patients exhibited normal conditioning rates, while ET patients showed minimal improvement.
Conclusions:
- Thalamic DBS effectively counteracts the functional disturbance in olivo-cerebellar circuits causing eyeblink conditioning deficits in ET.
- DBS may exert its therapeutic effect by modulating cerebello-thalamic and/or thalamo-cortico-cerebellar pathways in ET.
