Parafascicular-Center Median Nuclei Stimulation for Intractable Pain and Dyskinesia (Painful-Dyskinesia)

Abstract

Medial thalamus stimulation was used to treat chronic intractable pain associated with dyskinesia. Relief from both the pain and the motor disorder occurred concomitantly. However, maximum pain reduction was attained at a relatively faster rate than maximum reduction from the motor disability. It is postulated that pathologic changes in the center median nucleus secondary to lenticulo-striate-internal capsular lesions account, in part, for both the pain and the dyskinesia. Electrical stimulation of the center median(n) parafascicular nuclear complex presumably simultaneously activates both the neurohumeral and tertiary sensory pain inhibitory system for pain control, and the suprasegmental gamma system for motor control.