Selection of the optimal lesion site for the relief of parkinsonian tremor on the basis of spectral analysis of neuronal firing patterns.

Abstract

Techniques for quantitatively describing the firing properties of neurons have been used to identify thalamic cells with a firing pattern which is correlated with EMG activity during tremor. By locating these cells relative to the anterior border of the somatosensory nucleus and the anterior commissure-posterior commissure line, it may be possible to select the optimal lesion site for the relief of parkinsonian tremor on a rational rather than an empirical basis.