Wed Oct 22 04:20:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Clarinetist Plays Through Brain Surgery to Restore Musical Skills
London, UK – A 65-year-old woman with Parkinson’s Disease has regained her ability to play the clarinet thanks to a groundbreaking deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure performed at King’s College Hospital. Denise Bacon, a passionate musician whose Parkinson’s had severely impacted her mobility and musical skills, remained awake during the four-hour operation.
Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a neurosurgeon, led the team that implanted electrodes deep within Ms. Bacon’s brain. In a remarkable display of collaboration, Ms. Bacon played the clarinet continuously throughout the surgery. This allowed the surgical team to precisely fine-tune the position of the electrodes, ensuring optimal results.
“It was just amazing to see and feel her fingers moving better and faster during the operation,” Ms. Bacon told the BBC. The successful procedure has already helped to alleviate her Parkinson’s symptoms, restoring her ability to walk, swim, dance, and, most importantly, play her beloved instrument. This marks another success in DBS procedures, echoing the story of a New York medic who similarly had her “life back” through the surgery.
First Piper 