Dual Thalamic Stimulation for Disabling Multiple Sclerosis Tremor

A pilot study demonstrates tremor improved at 6 months with 2-lead stimulation.

Severe multiple sclerosis (MS) tremor is a disabling and challenging symptom to treat (NEJM Journal Watch Neurol 2012 Sep). Several prior studies have evaluated deep brain stimulation (DBS) for MS tremor. The present investigators compared baseline tremor with single and dual stimulation of two regions within the thalamus: the traditional ventralis intermedius (VIM) and the more novel ventralis oralis (VO). The rationale was to have a more durable benefit without long-term worsening by using the VO lead stimulation in addition to the VIM lead. In this single-center study, 12 patients were randomized to receive 3 months of either VIM or VO deep brain stimulation, followed by 3 months of open-label dual VIM/VO stimulation. The primary outcome…

Reviewing Author

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)

Dual Thalamic Stimulation for Disabling Multiple Sclerosis Tremor

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Reviewing Author