Thalamic stimulator
A thalamic stimulator is a medical device that can suppress
neurostimulator, which may also be implanted. The electrodes stimulate the area of the thalamus
, specifically the part of the brain that controls movement and muscle function.
It is notable that the presence of thalamic stimulators significantly changes
MRI. It is sometimes regarded as a better alternative to pallidotomy or thalamotomy
because it is non-permanent. For optimal installation, the patient is awake during the procedure, and talks to the surgeon to find the best placement. Once in place, the device can be activated and deactivated, for improved effectiveness during the day.
Risks arising from the operation are infection, stroke and dysarthria.
A fictional treatment of the device, out decades before the device itself, can be found in the novel The Terminal Man.
Sources
- Differential electrocardiographic artifact from implanted thalamic stimulator
- FDA Okays Powerful Brain Implant
- Washington University implanting brain device to control tremor
- New device offers relief for patients with tremors
 | This article related to medical equipment is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |