Abstract

Three cases with primary writing tremor were treated successfully by stereotactic selective thalamotomy centred mainly on the ventralis intermedius nucleus. They exhibited progressive coarse tremor of 5-7 Hz during writing, and Westphal's phenomenon on stretch, as the only neurological manifestations. Within the thalamus, a very high incidence of irregular burst discharges was recorded. These findings suggest that the writing tremor is an organic disorder.