RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy is an innovative method for the unilateral treatment of essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) related tremor. Our aim was to assess cognitive changes following MRgFUS thalamotomy to better investigate its safety profile. METHODS: We prospectively investigated the cognitive and neurobehavioral profile of patients consecutively undergoing MRgFUS within a 2-year period. Patients had a comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment before and six months after MRgFUS thalamotomy. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 40 patients (males 38; mean age±SD 67.7 ± 10.7; mean disease duration±SD 9.3 ± 5.6; ET 22, PD 18 patients). For the whole sample, improvements were detected in tremor (Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Clinical Rating Scale for tremor 35.79 ± 14.39 vs 23.03 ± 10.95; p < 0.001), anxiety feelings (Hamilton Anxiety rating scale 5.36 ± 3.80 vs 2.54 ± 3.28, p < 0.001), in the overall cognitive status (MMSE 25.93 ± 3.76 vs 27.54 ± 2.46, p 0.003; MOCA 22.80 ± 4.08 vs 24.48 ± 3.13, p < 0.001), and in quality of life (Quality of life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire 36.14 ± 12.91 vs 5.14 ± 6.90, p < 0.001 and PD Questionnaire-8 5.61 ± 4.65 vs 1.39 ± 2.33, p 0.001). No changes were detected in frontal and executive functions, verbal fluency and memory, abstract reasoning and problem-solving abilities. CONCLUSION: Our study moves a step forward in establishing the cognitive sequelae of MRgFUS thalamotomy and in endorsing effectiveness and safety.
Assuntos
Tremor Essencial , Tremor , Masculino , Humanos , Tremor/diagnóstico por imagem , Tremor/etiologia , Tremor/cirurgia , Tremor Essencial/cirurgia , Qualidade de Vida , Resultado do Tratamento , Ultrassonografia de Intervenção/métodos , Tálamo/diagnóstico por imagem , Tálamo/cirurgia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , CogniçãoRESUMO
Tremor is a common and very disabling symptom in patients with essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. In the recent years, transcranial ablation of thalamic nuclei using magnetic resonance guided high-intensity focused ultrasound has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment for tremor. The aim of this review is to discuss, in the light of our single-center experience, the technique, current applications, results, and future perspectives of this novel technology.