Stimulation of the VIM nucleus inhibits tremor, Allthough the exact mechanism is unknown. Rest tremor is pathognomonic for PD, allthough postural tremor is not uncommon. Postural tremor is typical of essential tremor, allthough kinetic tremor may also be present. Tremor Therapy Tremor is effectively managed pharmacologically in the majority of patients. When tremor becomes medically intractable and severly disabling, stimulation of the VIM nucleus may provide relief.
Thalamic stimulation is non destructive and reversible.
It can be used to treat bilateral tremor. The tremor-suppressing effect of thaamic stimulation have known since the 1920's. Very llittle, however, is known about the mechamism of action. According to Benabid et al. Rather, it is more likely that tremor supprression results from jamming the neuronal network processing proprioceptive inputs to the thalamus.