Citations 1
Tremor and disability outcomes following deep brain stimulation for multiple sclerosis-associated tremor
Banks, Samantha A. , Permezel, Fiona E., Jackson, Lauren , Tobin, W. Oliver , Kantarci, Orhun H. , Keegan, B. Mark , Miller, Kai J. , Klassen, Bryan T. , Baker, Matthew R , Flanagan, E P , Tobin, W Oliver , Keegan, B Mark , Pittock, Sean J , Banks, Samantha , Baker, Matthew , Flanagan, Eoin P.
Multiple Sclerosis Journal | October 27, 2025 | Volume: 31 | Issue: 13 | Pages: 1583-1590
Background: Tremor in multiple sclerosis (MS) is often refractory to medications. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) may help, but possible side effects and disease exacerbation limit its use. Objectives: Evaluate outcomes of DBS for MS-associated tremor. Methods: Retrospective review of 18 patients with MS-associated tremor who underwent DBS, analyzing Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Fahn–Tolosa–Marin (FTM) tremor scores. Results: Median age at surgery was 49.5 years (range, 28–75), with postoperative follow-up 2.5 years (range, 0–22). No relapses (0/18) or new lesions (0/8) occurred postoperatively. All had ventral intermediate nucleus leads; other targets were not used in programming. EDSS remained stable (median 6 to 6.25; p = 0.2). FTM scores improved (median 14.5 to 10, p = 0.008). Patients with EDSS 3.5–6 had variable outcomes ( p = 0.02). Conclusions: DBS is a potential treatment for severe MS tremor and did not provoke relapse. Targeting VIM alone may optimize tremor control and maintain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) access.