Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Patients with Medically-refractory Essential Tremor
Published on: December 13, 2017
Essential tremor leading to toxic liver damage successfully treated with deep brain stimulation
Johannes Levin1, Jan Mehrkens, Alexander Gerbes
1Department of Neurology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. jlevin@med.uni-muenchen.de
Purpose:
We present a patient with severe essential tremor (ET), who underwent thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS). After previous medical treatment with Propranolol and Primidone failed, the patient resorted to alcohol, which greatly alleviated the symptoms. The downside of this situation, however, was that it led to alcoholism with severely disturbed liver enzymes and hepatic steatosis.
Methods & Results:
After DBS the patient was free of tremor and thus could easily abstain from alcohol.
Conclusion:
In time the elevated liver enzymes returned to normal, which indicates that sufficient tremor control by DBS can help these patients to abstain from alcohol.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...

