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.