New brain implant lets Parkinson's patient forget symptoms

Kevin Hill's tremors stopped instantly when doctors activated the device, allowing him to return to normal activities

Representational image (Boing Boing/Midjourney)

A brain implant has allowed a Parkinson's patient to "forget about" his debilitating condition for days at a time. Kevin Hill, a 65-year-old from Sunderland, received a computer-controlled device in his chest wall, connected to wires that run into his brain. The system delivers precision electrical signals to manage his symptoms, and thanks to a recent upgrade, it can now automatically read and respond to his brain activity in real time.

The impact was immediate and dramatic. "I forget about Parkinson's for days and days and days," Hill told the BBC. Before the implant, his symptoms were so severe his wife banned him from the kitchen – his hand tremors caused him to spill hot drinks and even led to a finger injury. When doctors activated the device after surgery, his tremors "stopped instantly," reducing Hill to tears of joy.