Deep Brain Stimulation for Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Tremor

Tremor became an indication for thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) more than two decades ago. Today DBS is an established treatment Option for essential tremor and Parkinson's tremor according to controlled and randomized trails. Current data regarding DBS for MS-associated tremor lack an equivalent evidence level. Even though patients with multiple sclerosis-associated tremor (MS-tremor) were among the fist cases reported, little is known about proper patient selection, therapeutic efficacy, long-term Outcome and safety. Low patient numbers, short follow-up times, lack of functional data characterize most reports. Therapeutic Success remains poorly predictable and therefore DBS for MS-tremor is a last resort indication. The urgent need for controlled and randomized studies to clarify this status is apparent.