Chronic cerebellar stimulation in the modulation of behavior.

Abstract

From March 1976 until March 1979, 28 patients with disabling emotional symptoms were studied in the Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Departments at Tulane University, and pre-selected for cerebellar electrode implantation and subsequent cerebellar stimulation. This series include 12 patients with different types of schizophrenia; 7 epileptic patients with Grand Mal and/or psychomotor attacks, and concomitant psychiatric symptoms; 5 patients with intractable depression; and 4 patients with miscellaneous psychiatric symptoms. Follow-up results are graded as excellent, good, fair and poor. The authors conclude that significant improvement were observed in many patients, and the results, although preliminary and incomplete, are encouraging.