Parkinson's Patient Plays Clarinet During Brain Surgery with Surprising Results

Strategic Insights -

A 65-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease, Denise Bacon, astonished doctors by playing the clarinet while undergoing deep-brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in London. The retired speech and language therapist, diagnosed in 2014, had not been able to play the instrument for five years due to her condition. During a four-hour operation, Professor Keyoumars Ashkan performed DBS while Bacon remained awake, with her fingers moving more easily once the stimulation was applied, allowing her to play the clarinet again. The remarkable moment was captured on video and shared on X, garnering attention for its display of Bacon's skill and courage.

Key Takeaways:

  • Denise Bacon, a 65-year-old with Parkinson's disease, underwent deep-brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in London, where she played the clarinet while the procedure was being performed.
  • Bacon had not played the clarinet for five years due to her Parkinson's symptoms, which included impaired finger movements.
  • During the four-hour operation, Bacon was given a local anaesthetic to numb her scalp and skull, and her movements were stimulated with electrodes, resulting in significant improvement.
  • The operation was performed by Professor Keyoumars Ashkan at King's College Hospital, with Bacon remaining awake and playing the clarinet while the DBS was applied.
  • The video of the surgery was shared on X, highlighting Bacon's courage and the remarkable abilities of the human brain.
  • The operation provided valuable feedback for the medical team, demonstrating the effectiveness of DBS in relieving Parkinson's symptoms.
  • Bacon's condition had significantly affected her daily life, impairing her ability to walk, swim, dance, and play the clarinet.

Statistics:

  • 65 years old: The age of Denise Bacon when she underwent DBS surgery.
  • 4 hours: The duration of the successful DBS surgery operation.
  • 5 years: The length of time Bacon had not played the clarinet due to her Parkinson's symptoms.
  • 2014: The year Bacon was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
  • 1: The single video of Bacon playing the clarinet during surgery that was shared on X and gained attention.

Sources:

  • BBC:
  • Associated Press (via X)
  • Hindustan Times (with permission from HT Digital Content Services)