Essential tremor treatment with deep brain stimulation (DBS)

Deep brain stimulation, called DBS surgery, can help manage many movement disorders, including essential tremors. The main target of the operation is the thalamus (a specific region of the brain that controls and coordinates the activity of muscles). The device creates electric impulses to stimulate this brain region and stops tremors. During the surgery, doctors open the patient’s skull to reach the brain structures and place small electrodes inside. These electrodes connect via wires to a small device that looks like a peacemaker called the impulse generator. The DBS device is implanted under the skin below the collarbone on the chest. When the impulse generator is activated, the device generates electrical impulses that affect the thalamus and block the stimulus that causes the essential tremor symptoms. The treatment is surgical and requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay. It is worth noting that the DBS device and electrodes might be removed at any time. But the apparatus might be functional for many years, depending on the frequency of use. Studies show that more than 90% of patients who underwent deep brain stimulation reported moderate to good relief of their essential tremor symptoms.