Young Neurosurgeons and Rapid Fire Abstracts-Brain Metabolic Changes and Clinical Efficacy of Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation for Essential Tremor Patients

Brain Metabolic Changes and Clinical Efficacy of Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation for Essential Tremor Patients

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Abhijit, a research fellow at Mayo Clinic Neural Engineering Laboratories, presents the results of a study on the brain metabolic changes and clinical efficacy of transcutaneous afferent pattern stimulation (TAPS) for essential tremor (ET) patients. TAPS is a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy that has shown effectiveness in reducing hand tremors in ET subjects. The study enrolled five subjects who used a wristwatch-like device delivering alternating pulses of current to the median and radial nerve for 90 days. PET scans revealed a significant increase in brain metabolism in the ipsilateral cerebellum and a reduction in cerebellar vermis and sensory motor cortices. Tremor power was also significantly reduced. The study suggests that TAPS induces metabolic changes in brain regions associated with the tremor circuitry of ET. The mechanism of this therapy and further research with larger sample sizes are topics for future investigation. The speaker acknowledges the contributions of various individuals and departments involved in the research.

Asset Subtitle

Abhijeet Singh Barath

Keywords

Abhijit

Mayo Clinic Neural Engineering Laboratories

transcutaneous afferent pattern stimulation

essential tremor

neuromodulation therapy