Thalamic stimulator
Encyclopedia
A thalamic stimulator is a relatively new medical device that can suppress tremor
s, such as those caused by Parkinson's Disease
or essential tremor
. It was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) on August 4, 1997. Installation is invasive, so it is typically only used when the tremors are incapacitating, and medication is ineffective. Typically, one or more electrodes are implanted in the brain
, with subcutaneous leads to a neurostimulator
, which may also be implanted. The electrodes stimulate the area of the thalamus
, specifically the part of the brain that controls movement and muscle function.
It is notable that the presence of thalamic stimulators significantly changes ECG patterns, and prevents the use of MRI. It is sometimes regarded as a better alternative to pallidotomy
or thalamotomy
because it is non-permanent. For optimal installation, the patient is awake during the procedure, and talks to the surgeon to find the best placement. Once in place, the device can be activated and deactivated, for improved effectiveness during the day.
Risks arising from the operation are infection
, stroke
and dysarthria
.
A fictional treatment of the device, out decades before the device itself, can be found in the novel The Terminal Man
.
Tremor
A tremor is an involuntary, somewhat rhythmic, muscle contraction and relaxation involving to-and-fro movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the...
s, such as those caused by Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
or essential tremor
Essential tremor
Essential tremor is a slowly progressive neurological disorder whose most recognizable feature is a tremor of the arms that is apparent during voluntary movements such as eating and writing...
. It was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) on August 4, 1997. Installation is invasive, so it is typically only used when the tremors are incapacitating, and medication is ineffective. Typically, one or more electrodes are implanted in the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
, with subcutaneous leads to a neurostimulator
Neurostimulator
In medical technology a neurostimulator, also called an implanted pulse generator is a battery powered device designed to deliver electrical stimulation to the brain.-Applications and use:...
, which may also be implanted. The electrodes stimulate the area of the thalamus
Thalamus
The thalamus is a midline paired symmetrical structure within the brains of vertebrates, including humans. It is situated between the cerebral cortex and midbrain, both in terms of location and neurological connections...
, specifically the part of the brain that controls movement and muscle function.
It is notable that the presence of thalamic stimulators significantly changes ECG patterns, and prevents the use of MRI. It is sometimes regarded as a better alternative to pallidotomy
Pallidotomy
Pallidotomy is a procedure where a tiny electrical probe is placed in the globus pallidus , which is then heated to 80 degrees celsius for 60 seconds, to destroy a small area of brain cells...
or thalamotomy
Thalamotomy
First introduced in the 1950s, thalamotomy is an invasive procedure, primarily effective for tremors such as those associated with Parkinson's Disease , where a selected portion of the thalamus is surgically destroyed...
because it is non-permanent. For optimal installation, the patient is awake during the procedure, and talks to the surgeon to find the best placement. Once in place, the device can be activated and deactivated, for improved effectiveness during the day.
Risks arising from the operation are infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
, stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and dysarthria
Dysarthria
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder resulting from neurological injury of the motor component of the motor-speech system and is characterized by poor articulation of phonemes...
.
A fictional treatment of the device, out decades before the device itself, can be found in the novel The Terminal Man
The Terminal Man
The Terminal Man is a novel by Michael Crichton about the dangers of mind control. Published in 1972, it was later made into a film of the same name.-Plot summary:...
.