Brain signals deliver first targeted treatment for world’s most common movement disorder

Essential Tremor affects an estimated 7 million people in the U.S. alone and can be treated with Deep Brain Stimulation, where an electrode stimulates the brain to quiet the symptoms.  UW researchers have developed a system that increases or decreases the electrical stimulation based on essential tremor movement brain signals detected from electrodes placed on the brain. This has resulted in saving about half the battery power so far.  Professor Jeffrey Ojemann and Assistant Professor Andrew Ko are quoted in the story, which can be read at UW Today.