Elucidating the Temporality of Structural and Functional Connectivity Changes in Essential Tremor After Successful Deep Brain Stimulation to the Dentato-rubro-thalamic Tract
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the structural connectivity of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRTt) and to detect functional network changes due to DRTt stimulation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * the diagnosis of Essential Tremor, made by a movement disorder neurologist, where tremor is not secondary to any disease process or traumatic insult * distal appendicular tremor, with minimal proximal component * tremor refractory to multiple medication regimens and/or where the medications cause intolerable side effects * tremor judged to be severely impacting their quality of life. Exclusion Criteria: * significant neurological disorder * significant dementia or neurocognitive limitations as assessed by neuropsychiatry (when necessary) * severe psychiatric illness with suicidal ideations * previous surgery to destroy the target region of the brain * surgical contraindications to DBS * current major medical problems that affect brain anatomy,neurochemistry, or function, e.g., liver insufficiency, kidney insufficiency, cardiovascular problems, systemic infections, cancer, hypothyroidism, auto-immune diseases, and any current of history of brain disorder (seizure d