Parkinson's Patient Plays Clarinet During Brain Surgery in London

Denise Bacon, a 65-year-old woman from East Sussex diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2014, underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery at King's College Hospital to alleviate symptoms affecting her movement and ability to play the clarinet. During the four-hour operation, she remained awake and played her clarinet as electrodes were implanted in her brain, allowing surgeons to observe instant improvements in her finger movements. The precise surgical procedure involved drilling very small holes in her skull guided by a frame acting like a sat nav to place the electrodes accurately. Her ability to play the clarinet improved immediately when the electrical current was applied, which was a significant goal of the surgery alongside improving her walking, swimming, and dancing abilities. Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, who led the surgery, expressed delight at the immediate positive response to the stimulation, demonstrating the potential of DBS to improve fine motor skills in Parkinson's patients. Denise herself was "delighted" with the results and hopeful about regaining more of her previous abilities.