According to the BBC a musician undergoing brain surgery to treat a hand tremor played his banjo throughout to test the success of the procedure. Bluegrass player Eddie Adcock realised his tremor could threaten his ability to perform professionally.
Surgeons at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville placed electrodes in Mr Adcock's brain and fitted a pace maker in his chest which delivers a small current which shuts down the region of his brain causing the tremors.
Pretty logical when you think about it but there is something a little strange about plucking a banjo when surgeons are fiddling with your brain....
Jams, this is getting distinctly left field now. :) Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteFascinating......on oh so many different levels.
ReplyDeleteCheers
James, Maddy Glad you like it. I just coulnd;t resist this story!
ReplyDeleteOh, they did something like that on Grey's Anatomy. The patient had to stay awake and communicating so they knew they were operating on the right bit.
ReplyDelete"Doctor, will I be able to play [banjo] after this operation?" ...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would want to be conscious if I new my brain was being operated on!
ReplyDeleteIt's sitll pretty amazing though Liz but like chier I would not tombe conscious if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteHmm was he taking his last chance I wonder Steve!
It's amazing, but I can't imagine going through it myself! How uncomfortable.
ReplyDeletethere is something a little strange about plucking a banjo when surgeons are fiddling with your brain....
ReplyDeleteIt would be even more strange (and ironic) if it was a violin being played while surgeons "fiddle" with brain matter...
I suppose it's painless fre man but still..
ReplyDeleteGah Roman!