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Determining an efficient deep brain stimulation target in essential tremor - Cohort study and review of the
Dorothee Kübler1, Daniel Kroneberg1, Bassam Al-Fatly1
1Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation Section, Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Introduction:
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a highly efficacious treatment for essential tremor (ET). Still, the optimal anatomical target in the (sub)thalamic area is a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal target of DBS for ET regarding beneficial clinical outcome and impact on activities of daily living as well as stimulation-induced side effects and compare it with previously published coordinates.
Methods:
In 30 ET patients undergoing bilateral DBS, severity of tremor was assessed by blinded video ratings before and at 1-year follow-up with DBS ON and OFF. Tremor scores and reported side effects and volumes of tissue activated were used to create a probabilistic map of DBS efficiency and side effects.
Results:
DBS was effective both in tremor suppression as well as in improving patient reported outcomes, which were positively correlated. The "sweet spot" for tremor suppression was located inferior of the VIM in the subthalamic area, close to the superior margin of the zona incerta. The Euclidean distance of active contacts to this spot as well as to 10 of 13 spots from the literature review was predictive of individual outcome. A cluster associated with the occurrence of ataxia was located in direct vicinity of the "sweet spot".
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest the highest clinical efficacy of DBS in the posterior subthalamic area, lining up with previously published targets likely representing the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract. Side effects may not necessarily indicate lead misplacement, but should encourage clinicians to employ novel DBS programing options.
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