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I have been following with keen interest the various many comments that have
been aired on internet.  It is obvious that there is an extraordinary upsurge
in interest in surgical treatment of PD and a mad rush for surgeons and lists
of centers that are willing (and able) to do this surgery.
 
What I have not seen is any reference to the procedure known as VIM/STIM.
 For the bennifit of those who may not have heard of this operation I ask
forbearance for repeating what many must know.  I quote from "Facts on
Surgical Alternatives" printed and destributed by UPF/ITF.  This is the best
literature that I have seen on this subject.  Despite their warning that no
part on this booklet may be reproduced without their permission I reprint
some of it here.  For those wanting to get the full printout their address is
:
United Parkinson's Foundation/International Tremor Foundation
811 West Washington Boulevard
Chicago, IL  ??607 (illegible)
 
William Koller MD, Ph. D.
President, ITF and Chairman
Department of Neurology
University of Kansas
 
Introduction :-
 
"During the course of thalamotomies, it has long been observed that stimulus
of the target namely trhe ventral intermedius nucleus of the thalamus (VIM)
has the same effects as does it's destruction.  Although it's mechanism is
not known, the paradoxic effect is closely related to the amount of stimulus
that is given and can't be induced under 100 hertz (cycles per second).
 Because of it's total and immediate reversibility, VIM stimulatioin has been
attempted in patients presenting with the tremors of Parkinson's disease
 (PD) and essential tremor (ET).  It was thought that, because VIM
stimulation is reversible and that one can adjust the stimulation given, that
is, increase stimulation for better tremor control or decrease stimulation
because of it's side effects, this may represent a better approach than the
traditional thalamotmy.  Furthermore, bilateral procedures can be done
without the risk of permanent  impairment of speech".
 
Theraafter follows a detailed explantatoin of the technique.
It does seem that TREMOR is the indication for this procedure.
 
For those who are interested I suggest that they write to the above address.
 
Is there anyone who has any personal informatoin on this subject?  There is
much that recommends it to me.  No permanent "lesions" are made which cannot
be reversed.
 
PLEASE - those who know about this please let us have your knowledge.
 
If anyone wants me to elucidate further on this subject please say so and I
will try.
 
John.