Implants for tremor

Chronic or contingent electrical stimulation at various sites in the region of the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus can suppress contralateral intention tremor and the resting tremor seen in Parkinson's disease and idiopathic tremor. The procedure appears to carry less risk, in producing physical or cognitive impairment, than stereotactic ablation. However, the procedure has been tried in few centres to date and long term follow-up studies are needed to place this treatment in its true clinical perspective. It is important to assess patients' needs very carefully to ensure that their functional objectives will be best met by treatments of this kind, and that the requirement for regular monitoring and periodic reassessment can be fully met during long term follow-up.