Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation in Essential Tremor Plus Is as Effective as in Essential Tremor

The new essential tremor (ET) classification defined ET-plus (ET-p) as an ET subgroup with additional neurological signs besides action tremor. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective in ET, there are no studies specifically addressing DBS effects in ET-p. 44 patients with medication-refractory ET and thalamic/subthalamic DBS implanted at our center were postoperatively classified into ET and ET-p according to preoperative documentation. Tremor suppression with DBS (stimulation ON vs. preoperative baseline and vs. stimulation OFF), measured via the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor rating scale (TRS), stimulation parameters, and the location of active contacts were compared between patients classified as ET and ET-p. TRS scores at baseline were higher in ET-p. ET-p patients showed comparable tremor reduction as patients with ET, albeit higher stimulation parameters were needed in ET-p. Active electrode contacts were located more dorsally in ET-p of uncertain reason. Our data show that DBS is similarly effective in ET-p compared to ET. TRS scores were higher in ET-p preoperatively, and higher stimulation parameters were needed for tremor reduction compared to ET. The latter may be related to a more dorsal location of active electrode contacts in the ET-p group of this cohort. Prospective studies are warranted to investigate DBS in ET-p further.