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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
09:46
Analysis of Gene Expression Changes in the Rat Hippocampus After Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Thalamic Nucleus
Published on: March 8, 2015
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Thalamic Directional Deep Brain Stimulation for tremor: Spend less, get more
P Rebelo1, A L Green1, T Z Aziz1
1Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Brain Stimulation
|January 27, 2018
Summary
Directional Deep Brain Stimulation (D-DBS) significantly expands the therapeutic window for thalamic stimulation, improving outcomes without negatively impacting device lifespan or power consumption. This advanced technique offers a promising alternative for managing tremor syndromes.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neurology
Background:
- Directional Deep Brain Stimulation (D-DBS) enables precise electrical field shaping to avoid side effects.
- Concerns about device lifespan and survey complexity have limited the use of D-DBS features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if chronically implanted D-DBS systems can enhance the therapeutic window in thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS).
- To assess the impact of D-DBS on device lifespan.
- To investigate D-DBS efficacy in patients with drug-resistant tremor syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 8 patients with drug-resistant tremor syndromes.
- Assessment of directional stimulation's impact on Therapeutic Window (TW), Therapeutic Current Strength (TCS), tremor and disability scores.
- Volume of Tissue Activation (VTA) modeling.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in TW (91%) and reductions in TCS (31%) with D-DBS.
- No increase in average IPG power consumption; a 6% reduction compared to omnidirectional stimulation.
- VTA modeling demonstrated efficient tissue activation with D-DBS.
Conclusions:
- D-DBS enhances the therapeutic window in thalamic DBS, potentially reducing disability without frequent reprogramming.
- Device lifespan and power consumption were not adversely affected by D-DBS in this study cohort.
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