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This study is based upon a retrospective analysis of behavior in 34 patients who had thalamotomy for seizure, motor and sensory disorders. Unilateral single lesions, especially in the medial part of the center median nucleus, improved aggression more than hyperkinesia and patho-affect. Bilateral lesions in the center median nucleus resulted in maximum improvement for the three categories of behavior, aggression, hyperkinesia and patho-affect.

PROBLEMThis is a report of changes in the MMPI profiles of eight patients who had surgical lesions made in the center median nucleus of the thalamus. These lesions were placed for the treatment of seizure and pain disorders. Short (5 days) and long-term (4-14 months) changes were derived from profiles obtained several days preoperatively . METHODThere were 4 male and 4 female patients. Six of the patients (ages 17-21) had seizure disorders, and 2 patients (ages 37-38) had pain disorders. The surgical lesions were made by thermal coagulation with stereotaxic x-ray guidance of the electrode. The electrode was a 20-gauge barrel with a 3 to 4 mm noninsulated tip('* 2 ) . Lesions were placed in the right thalamus in 4 patients (2 males and 2 females) and in the left thalamus in the remaining 4 patients.

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