Efficacy of unilateral deep brain stimulation of the VIM nucleus of the thalamus for essential head tremor

Essential tremor is a common movement disorder. Deep brain stimulation of t he VIM nucleus of the thalamus has been reported to be efficacious for redu cing essential hand tremor. The effect of deep brain stimulation of the tha lamus on essential head tremor has not been well studied. Therefore, we eva luated the effect of DBS of the thalamus in 38 patients with essential head tremor. Head tremor scores prior to surgery were compared with scores at 3 , 6, and 12 months postimplant with stimulation "on" and "off." The 3-month evaluations were blinded for 24 patients and all others were open-label. T here was a significant improvement in head tremor at all postimplant evalua tions compared with baseline. Essential head tremor can be reduced with dee p brain stimulation of the VIM nucleus of the thalamus and, pending the res ults of other controlled trials, should be considered as a treatment option for patients with disabling essential head tremor unresponsive to medicati on.