Deep Brain Stimulation Improves Symptoms of Spasmodic Dysphonia Through Targeting of Thalamic Sensorimotor Connectivity.

Background And Objectives: Spasmodic dysphonia is a dystonia of the vocal chords producing difficulty with speech. Current hypotheses are that this is a condition of dysregulated thalamic sensory motor integration. A recent randomized controlled trial of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) demonstrated its safety and efficacy.

Directional Deep Brain Stimulation Can Target the Thalamic "Sweet Spot" for Improving Neuropathic Dental Pain.

Background: Neuropathic dental pain (NDP) is a chronic pain condition that is notoriously difficult to treat. To date, there are no deep brain stimulation (DBS) studies on this specific pain condition and no optimal target or "sweet spot" has ever been defined.

Objective: To determine the optimal thalamic target for improving this condition by utilizing the steering abilities of a directional DBS electrode (Vercise CartesiaTM Model DB-2202-45, Boston Scientific).

Tremor and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Essential Tremor Before and After Replacing Their Standard Deep Brain Stimulation With a Directional System.

Objectives: Patients with essential tremor treated with thalamic deep brain stimulation may experience increased tremor with the progression of their disease. Initially, this can be counteracted with increased stimulation. Eventually, this may cause unwanted side-effects as the circumferential stimulation from a standard ring contact spreads into adjacent regions.

The effect of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation on the vocal dysfunction in a patient with spasmodic dysphonia: interrogating cerebellar and pallidal neural circuits.

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a neurological disorder of the voice where a patient's ability to speak is compromised due to involuntary contractions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Since the 1980s, SD has been treated with botulinum toxin A (BTX) injections into the throat. This therapy is limited by the delayed-onset of benefits, wearing-off effects, and repeated injections required every 3 months.