Efficacy of unilateral deep brain stimulation of the thalamic ventralis intermedius nucleus in a patient with bipolar disorder associated with Klinefelter syndrome and essential tremor - Case report

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventralis intermedius nucleus (Vim) is a safe and effective treatment for essential tremor. Bipolar disorder and e ssential tremor had each been reported to occur in association with Klinefe lter syndrome but the three diseases have been reported to occur together i n only one patient. The genetic basis and natural history of these disorder s are not completely understood and may be related rather than coincidental . The authors report on a 23-year-old man with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY ) and bipolar disorder who was treated successfully with unilateral DBS of the thalamic Vim for essential tremor.