Clinical trial: Elucidating the Temporality of Structural and Functional Connectivity Changes in Essential Tremor After Successful Deep Brain Stimulation to the Dentato-rubro-thalamic Tract (NCT04758624)

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 disorder, stroke, dementia, meningitis, encephalitis,
             degenerative neurologic diseases and head injury with loss of consciousness for any
             period of time)

          -  family history of hereditary neurologic disorder, besides essential tremors ET

          -  floating metallic objects in the body

          -  pregnancy

          -  alcohol or substance abuse/dependence in the past 6 months.
No condition on gender to be admitted to the trial.
No healthy subjects accepted to join the trial.
Subject must be at least 18 Years old.
Subject must be at most 85 Years

Patient description (medical language): A 60-year-old man comes to the clinic complaining of hand tremor that started few months ago.  It is most bothering when he wants to drink from a glass or pour from a bottle. He does not smoke, but drinks occasionally. He recently started consuming more alcohol as his tremor subsides somewhat when he drinks small amounts of alcohol.  Family history is significant for similar problems in his mother.  Vital signs are normal and the patient has no other medical conditions.  Neurologic examination shows bilateral tremor in the upper extremities. The diagnosis of essential tremor is confirmed.

Patient description (patient's own words): I'm only a 60 years old man but I already suffer from shaky hands. It started a few months ago, and it really bothers me when I want to pour myself a glass or even while drinking. I don't smoke, but I drink alcohol from time to time. To be honest, I've been drinking a little more lately since it helps me with the shaking. My mom had the same issue when she was my age. The doctor took my vitals, and they were normal. I don't have any other medical issues. I underwent neurological exams and it showed that I’m shaky from both sides. The doctor diagnosed me with essential tremor.

Does the patient match the trial criteria? 1