DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cjsxksngp
title: Real-time VIM thalamus recordings during peripheral nerve stimulation treatment for essential tremor: DBS intraoperative dataset

description: Background: Essential tremor (ET), the most common movement disorder in
 adults, presents with involuntary shaking of the upper extremities during
 postural hold and kinetic tasks linked to dysfunction in the
 cerebellothalamo-cortical network. Recently, transcutaneous afferent
 patterned stimulation (TAPS), applied through a wrist-worn device, has
 emerged as a non-invasive treatment for medication-refractory ET. However,
 its mechanism remains unclear. Objective: We hypothesize that TAPS reduces
 tremors through modulation of the VIM thalamus in the
 cerebellothalamo-cortical network. Methods: Employing refractory pure ET
 patients seeking VIM deep brain stimulation (DBS), we quantified clinical
 tremor improvement following TAPS treatment in a pre-operative setting,
 followed by intra-operative microelectrode recording of the contralateral
 thalamus with concurrent TAPS treatment on and off. Results: After one
 preoperative session, TAPS significantly reduces upper limb tremor average
 (0.61, p = 0.002), with an asymmetric effect favoring the treated limb (p
 = 0.047) and the greatest improvement tending to kinetic tremor (R2 =
 0.943, p = 0.002). The magnitude of TAPS-related tremor reduction
 demonstrates a positive correlation with the modulation of alpha (R2 =
 0.213, p &lt; 0.001) and beta band LFPs (R2 = 0.255, p &lt; 0.001)
 in the VIM. TAPS also suppressed spiking activity in the VIM (R2 = 0.104,
 p = 0.029), though it was uncorrelated with the degree of tremor
 reduction. Of note, TAPS-related modulation of LFPs and spiking activity
 was greatest near the optimal placement location for the DBS lead in
 treating ET (R2 = 0.122, p = 0.006). Conclusion: In sum, TAPS likely
 reduces tremor in ET by modulating the VIM and connected nodes in the
 cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway.
description: ## Real-time VIM thalamus recordings during peripheral nerve stimulation
 treatment for essential tremor: DBS intraoperative dataset This codebase
 contains processed microelectrode recordings (MER) from human subjects
 with essential tremor, along with analysis scripts used to generate the
 findings published in [Luu et al.,
 2025](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2025.06.004). ## Human Subject Study
 **Study identifier:** CH1052\ **Number of subjects:** 9 (numbered 02, 03,
 06-12)\ **Condition:** Essential tremor\ **Intervention:** Transcutaneous
 afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS)\ **Recording context:**
 Intra-operative microelectrode recordings during deep brain stimulation
 (DBS) surgery ## Getting Started ``` Repository/ ├── E-Files/ │ ├──
 E-CH1052-02.mat │ ├── E-CH1052-03.mat │ ├── E-CH1052-06.mat │ ├──
 E-CH1052-07.mat │ ├── E-CH1052-08.mat │ ├── E-CH1052-09.mat │ ├──
 E-CH1052-10.mat │ ├── E-CH1052-11.mat │ ├── E-CH1052-12.mat │ └──
 stimVbase.mat ├── P-Files/ │ ├── P-CH1052-02.mat │ ├── P-CH1052-03.mat │
 ├── P-CH1052-06.mat │ ├── P-CH1052-07.mat │ ├── P-CH1052-08.mat │ ├──
 P-CH1052-09.mat │ ├── P-CH1052-10.mat │ ├── P-CH1052-11.mat │ └──
 P-CH1052-12.mat └── PNSxET Root Folder/ ├── Analysis Scripts/ │ ├──
 AssistingFunctions/ │ │ └── [General utility functions for data
 processing] │ ├── FHC/ │ │ └── [Functions for handling FHC microelectrode
 recording system data] │ ├── MotionRemoval/ │ │ └── [Algorithms for
 removing motion artifacts from neural recordings] │ ├── fCWT/ │ │ └──
 [Fast cont wavelet transform for time-frequency analysis] │ ├──
 povilaskarvelis-DataViz-3.2.4.0/ │ │ └── [Data visualization utilities] │
 ├── Figures_Paper.m │ ├── Figures_Spikes.m │ └── MER_compare_tetras.m └──
 Data/ ├── E_spk-Files/ │ └── stimVbaseSPK.mat └── T-Files/ └── TETRAS Data
 Log.csv ``` ### File Organization Setup Files are organized into separate
 zips to reduce individual file size. Before running the scripts, unzip
 `P-Files` and `E-Files` folders into the `Data` folder within the `PNSxET
 Root Folder` directory. ### Running Analysis Scripts * **ROOTpath
 configuration:** All scripts require setting the `ROOTpath` variable to
 the path of the 'PNSxET Root Folder' directory before execution
 * **Analysis rationale:** The rationale for each analysis is explained in
 the Methods and Supplementary Methods sections of the manuscript *
 **Supporting functions:** All subdirectories of the 'Analysis
 Scripts' folder contain supporting functions called by the main
 scripts ### Data Processing Pipeline ``` Raw MER → P-Files → E-Files →
 Analysis Outputs (Signal (Spectral (Figures & Processing) Analysis)
 Statistics) ``` ## File Naming Conventions ### P- and E-Files (Neural Data
 in MATLAB structure .mat) **Convention:** `Prefix-CH1052-##.mat` * **P-**:
 Prefix indicating "Processed" neural data after signal
 processing and artifact removal * **E-**: Prefix indicating
 "Extracted" neural data after binning and quantifying power
 spectral density estimates * **CH1052**: IRB study identifier code *
 **##**: Subject number (02, 03, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12) * Note:
 Subject numbers 01, 04, and 05 were recruited for the same IRB but for a
 different project ## Neural Recording Data Files ### P-Files Exemplar:
 P-CH1052-02.mat This file contains processed neural data from Subject 02
 who received transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS)
 treatment on the right hand. **File location for processing:** `PNSxET
 Root Folder/Data/P-Files/P-CH1052-02.mat` **Top-level structure:** Two
 main conditions separating recordings by stimulation state: * **`base`**:
 Baseline recordings without TAPS stimulation * **`stim`**: Recordings
 during TAPS stimulation **Data organization:** Each condition (`base` and
 `stim`) contains a matrix of structures organized as: * **Rows**:
 Recording depths (varies by subject, typically 4-5 depths) * **Columns**:
 Three recording electrode positions * Column 1: Anterior microrecording
 electrode * Column 2: Center microrecording electrode * Column 3:
 Posterior microrecording electrode **Variables in each recording depth ×
 channel structure (26 fields):** | Variable | Description | Units | Data
 Type | | -------------- |
 ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- |
 ----------------------------- | | `raw` | Raw neural signal timeseries | -
 | double array (2880000×1) | | `trialTimes` | Start and end timestamps for
 trial | - | double (1×2) | | `voltageCalib` | Voltage calibration factor |
 - | double scalar | | `timeCalib` | Time calibration factor | - | double
 scalar | | `fs` | Sampling frequency | Hz | double | | `recDepth` |
 Recording depth identifier (z value in chanCoord) | - | char array (1×3) |
 | `chan` | Channel number | 1, 2, or 3 | double | | `chanCoord` |
 Recording electrode coordinates (x, y, z) | mm | double (1×3) | |
 `implantCoord` | DBS implant coordinates (x, y, z) | mm | double (1×3) | |
 `therapyCoord` | Therapeutic contact coordinates (x, y, z) | mm | double
 (1×3) | | `implantSide` | Laterality of DBS implant | Left or Right | char
 array | | `stimFreq` | TAPS stimulation frequency | Hz | double, NaN if
 not applicable | | `stimMiliAmp` | TAPS stimulation amplitude | mA |
 double | | `lfp` | Local field potential signal | - | double array
 (2880000×1) | | `spk` | Spike-sorted neural activity | - | double array
 (2880000×1) | | `rawLPCheby` | Raw signal low-pass filtered (Chebyshev) |
 - | double array (2880000×1) | | `rawBPCheby` | Raw signal band-pass
 filtered (Chebyshev) | - | double array (2880000×1) | | `spkSTD` | Spike
 detection threshold | standard deviations | double | | `spkOnset` | Spike
 onset times | - | cell array (1×1) | | `times` | Time vector for waveforms
 | - | cell array (1×1) | | `waveforms` | Spike waveform shapes | - | cell
 array (1×1) | | `pxx` | Power spectral density | - | double array
 (32769×1) | | `f` | Frequency vector for PSD | Hz | double array (32769×1)
 | | `blankingMask` | Mask for blanking motion artifact periods | - |
 logical array (2880000×1) | | `raw_blanked` | Raw signal with artifacts
 blanked | - | double array (2880000×1) | | `spk_blanked` | Spike signal
 with artifacts blanked | - | double array (2880000×1) | **Note:** P-Files
 contain the core processed data, while E-Files extend this with additional
 binned spectral analysis (`pxx_binned`, `f_binned`, `spkCount`). ###
 E-Files Exemplar: E-CH1052-02.mat This file contains spectral analysis
 data derived from P-CH1052-02.mat for Subject 02. It adds binned power
 spectral density (`pxx_binned`), binned frequency vector (`f_binned`), and
 spike counts per bin (`spkCount`) to the P-Files while holding the same
 organization structure. **File location for processing:** `PNSxET Root
 Folder/Data/E-Files/E-CH1052-02.mat` **Variables in each recording depth ×
 channel structure (29 fields):** | Variable | Description | Units | Data
 Type | | ------------ | ----------------------------- | ----- |
 ------------------------ | | `raw` | Raw neural signal timeseries | - |
 double array (2880000×1) | | ... | ... | ... | ... | | `pxx_binned` |
 Binned power spectral density | - | double array (32769×60) | | `f_binned`
 | Binned frequency vector | Hz | double array (32769×60) | | `spkCount` |
 Spike counts per bin | - | double array (1×60) | ## Tabular Data
 Descriptions ### TETRAS Data Log.csv Raw scores from TETRAS (The Essential
 Tremor Rating Assessment Scale) testing for 9 subjects. Contains pre- and
 post-stimulation tremor assessments for both treated and untreated limbs.
 **File location for processing:** `PNSxET Root Folder/Data/T-Files/TETRAS
 Data Log.csv` **Variables:** | Variable | Description | Units/Scale | Data
 Type | | ------------------- | ----------------------------- |
 ---------------------- | ----------- | | `subject` | Subject identifier |
 IRB code (CH1052-##) | Categorical | | `treated_hand` | Laterality of TAPS
 treatment | "right" or "left" | Categorical | | `stim`
 | Stimulation timing | "pre" or "post" | Categorical |
 | `measured_hand` | Which hand was assessed | "right" or
 "left" | Categorical | | `head_tremor` | Head tremor severity |
 0-4 | Ordinal | | `face_tremor` | Facial tremor severity | 0-4 | Ordinal |
 | `voice_tremor` | Voice tremor severity | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `forward_postural` | Forward postural tremor | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `lateral_postural` | Lateral postural tremor | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `kinetic_tremor` | Kinetic (action) tremor | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `spiral_drawing` | Spiral drawing task tremor | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `dot_approximation` | Dot approximation task tremor | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `handwriting` | Handwriting task tremor | 0-4; NaN for left hand | Ordinal
 | | `lower_limb` | Lower limb tremor severity | 0-4 | Ordinal | |
 `standing_tremor` | Standing tremor severity | 0-4 | Ordinal | **Notes:**
 * All tremor scores use the TETRAS ordinal scale: 0 (no tremor) to 4
 (severe tremor) * NaN values in `handwriting` column indicate testing was
 not performed for dominant left hand * Each subject has 4 rows: pre/post
 stimulation × treated/untreated hand ### stimVbase.mat Processed MI_LFP
 (Modulation Index for Local Field Potentials) table containing summary
 measures of neural modulation across all subjects, bands, and recording
 locations. **File location for processing:** `PNSxET Root
 Folder/Data/E-Files/stimVbase.mat` **Variables:** | Variable | Description
 | Units/Scale | Data Type | | ------------------ |
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 --------------------------------------- | ------------------ | | `subject`
 | Subject identifier | IRB naming (CH1052-##) | String/Categorical | |
 `fIdx` | Subject index | Ordinal numbering (1-9) | Integer | |
 `treated_hand` | Laterality of TAPS treatment | "right" or
 "left" | String/Categorical | | `treatedAvgDiff` | Average
 improvement in treated limb | TETRAS score difference | Numeric | |
 `untreatedAvgDiff` | Average improvement in untreated limb | TETRAS score
 difference | Numeric | | `tremorReduction` | Fractional tremor reduction |
 Dimensionless | Numeric | | `recIdx` | Recording location index | Ordinal
 | Integer | | `chanIdx` | Channel index | Ordinal | Integer | | `trialIdx`
 | Trial/attempt index | Ordinal | Integer | | `depth` | Depth of recording
 contact from implant target (z-axis) | mm | Numeric | | `dist2implant` |
 Distance of recording contact to final DBS implant location (Euclidean) |
 mm | Numeric | | `band_f` | Frequency band for LFP analysis | Hz | Numeric
 array | | `band` | Frequency band name | "theta",
 "alpha", "beta", "gamma", etc. |
 String/Categorical | | `MI_banded` | Modulation index for the band |
 Dimensionless | Numeric | **Data organization:** Each row represents a
 unique combination of subject, recording location, channel, trial, and
 frequency band. Used for analyzing LFP modulation patterns across
 different brain regions and frequencies. ### stimVbaseSPK.mat Processed
 MI_Spikes table containing summary measures of spiking activity
 modulation, extending stimVbase.mat with spike-specific analysis. **File
 location for processing:** `PNSxET Root
 Folder/Data/E_spk-Files/stimVbaseSPK.mat` **Variables:** All variables
 from `stimVbase.mat` plus, | Variable | Description | Units/Scale | Type |
 | -------- | ---------------------- | ------------- | ------- | | `spkMI`
 | Spike modulation index | Dimensionless | Numeric | ## Analysis Scripts
 ### Main Analysis Scripts 1. **MER_compare_tetras.m** * **Purpose:**
 TETRAS tremor changes analysis * **Outputs:** Figures 2A-E; Supplementary
 Figures S1-3 * **Data sources:** TETRAS Data Log.csv, stimVbase.mat 2.
 **Figures_Paper.m** * **Purpose:** LFP modulation analysis and
 visualization * **Outputs:** Figures 3A-I; Supplementary Figures S4-S8 *
 **Data sources:** E-Files, stimVbase.mat 3. **Figures_Spikes.m** *
 **Purpose:** Spiking activity modulation analysis * **Outputs:** Figures
 4A-F * **Data sources:** stimVbaseSPK.mat ## Contact and References For
 questions about this dataset or analysis code, please refer to: **Luu et
 al., 2025.** "Wearable peripheral nerve stimulator reduces essential
 tremor symptoms through targeted brain modulation" (DOI:
 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2025.06.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2025.06.004)) **Repository maintained by:** Cuong P. Luu ([cuong.luu@wisc.edu](mailto:cuong.luu@wisc.edu)) ## Human subjects data All protected health information (PHI) has been purged from the metadata. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects to publish de-identified data in accordance with approved Institutional Review Board protocol.