Parkinson’s patient played clarinet during brain surgery so surgeons could see and hear the immediate impact of their work

A woman with Parkinson’s disease played the clarinet while undergoing brain surgery so surgeons could immediately see and hear the impact of their work.

When doctors stimulated her brain with electric current, 65-year-old Denise Bacon’s finger movements immediately improved.

The retired speech and language therapist underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) after experiencing symptoms of the disease, including slowed movement and muscle stiffness.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, which affected his ability to walk, swim, dance and play the clarinet.

Ms Bacon remained awake throughout the four-hour operation at King’s College Hospital in London, receiving local anesthetic to numb only her scalp and skull.

The surgical procedure uses electrodes implanted in the brain and is suitable for some patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s.

This provided immediate results on the operating table, with Mrs. Bacon showing greater dexterity in her fingers and allowing her to play the clarinet with ease.

Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, the neurosurgeon who carried out the DBS, said: ‘After a frame with precise coordinates was placed on Denise’s head, holes half the size of a fivepence piece were drilled into Denise’s skull; It acts as a satellite navigation tool to direct us to the correct positions in the brain to place the electrode.

The retired speech and language therapist underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) after experiencing symptoms of the disease, including slowed movement and muscle stiffness.

‘Once the electrodes were placed on the left side of Denise’s brain, the current was turned on and an immediate improvement was noticed in the hand movements on the right side.

‘When we placed electrodes on the right side of his brain, the same thing happened on the left.

‘As a keen clarinetist, it was suggested that Denise bring her clarinet into the operating theater and see if this procedure would improve her playing ability, which was one of Denise’s main goals for the surgery.

‘We were delighted to see an immediate improvement in hand movements and therefore playing ability when the stimulus was sent to the brain.’

Ms Bacon, from Crowborough, East Sussex, played clarinet in the East Grinsted Concert Band until she had to stop due to symptoms five years ago.

He said: ‘I remember that my right hand could move much more easily when the stimulation was applied and this improved my ability to play the clarinet and I was very pleased with this.

‘I’m already seeing improvements in my walking ability and I can’t wait to get back into the swimming pool and the dance floor to see if my skills have improved there.’

Ms. Bacon opted for a rechargeable-type pulse generator battery that is implanted in her chest and can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced.

This monitors his brain activity and can help automatically adjust electrical stimulation when necessary.

Professor Ashkan said: ‘Deep brain stimulation is one of the most effective, evidence-based and long-lasting treatments for controlling the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, improving tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement.

‘Modern advances in DBS technology now allow us to personalize therapy to our patients’ needs, creating a positive impact on their quality of life.’

Research communications officer at Parkinson’s UK, Dr. Katherine Fletcher said: ‘Deep Brain Stimulation can give people living with Parkinson’s disease a better control of symptoms when medications are no longer as effective.

‘It’s incredible to hear how this life-changing treatment not only helps individuals with symptoms, but also helps them regain the ability to do the things they love.

‘Parkinson’s UK is proud to have played a role in the development of DBS and we are committed to funding further research to develop this treatment and other research to improve more lives in the future.’