Supplementary Material for: Effects of Cerebellothalamic Tractotomy on Cognitive and Emotional Functioning in Essential Tremor: A Preliminary Study in 5 Essential Tremor Patients
<p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Subthalamic stereotactic interventions have
recently caught renewed interest as a treatment for essential tremor
(ET). However, it is not clear whether these interventions are
associated with neurocognitive, mood or personality changes. <b><i>Objective:</i></b>
To investigate neurocognition, neuropsychiatric functions and
personality variables in patients with ET and to explore the
neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric effects of cerebellothalamic
tractotomy (CTT), a form of subthalamotomy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In
our study, we investigated cognitive functions, frontal functions, mood
and personality variables in 5 patients with intractable ET. Patients
were tested before and 3 months after surgery using neuropsychological
tests, clinical scales for depression, anxiety, anger regulation and a
personality test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Before surgery, ET patients
showed normal neurocognitive function, a slightly elevated frontal lobe
score in the dimensions mental control and memory, without being
indicative of a frontal lesion, and no elevated depression or anxiety
scores compared to norm values. After surgery, there was no change in
neurocognitive function and no increase in depression or anxiety scores.
<b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In this exploratory study on 5 ET patients, CTT was not associated with alterations of mood or neurocognitive functions.</p