Music director with Parkinson’s see that symptoms improve with deep brain stimulation
An Ohio’s music driver is using deep brain stimulation to combat his Parkinson’s disease.
Rand Laycock, 70, director and director of a symphony orchestra, was diagnosed just before his 60th birthday, according to a press release from Cleveland Clinic.
“My doctor at that time told me [a Parkinson’s diagnosis] It was not a death sentence, and there would be advances in the coming years to help with my treatment, “Laycock said.
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However, even after a drug regime, Laycock’s symptoms continued to progress in the next 11 years.
Rand Laycock. (Cleveland Clinic)
When the tremors in their right hand began to increase in severity and frequency, it began to explore other treatments.
“The tremor would really begin to be pronounced if it had a deadline for something with the orchestra,” Laycock told Cleveland Clinic.
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It also began to experience dyskinesias, which are involuntary movements that can be a secondary effect of the long -term use of certain Parkinson medications.
Michal Gostkowski, DO, neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic, introduced Laycock to the alternative option for deep brain stimulation (DBS), which was described as a “brain pacemaker.”
“My doctor at that time told me [a Parkinson’s diagnosis] It was not a death sentence, and there would be advances in the coming years to help with my treatment, “Laycock told Cleveland Clinic. (Cleveland Clinic)
DBS is a “treatment involving an implemented device that offers an electric current directly to the areas of your brain”, according to Cleveland Clinic.
There are billions of neurons in the brain, which communicate using electrical and chemical signals. Some brain conditions, including those of Parkinson, can make those neurons less active, the same declared source.
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Deep brain stimulation applies an electric current so that these neurons are more active.
In May 2024, Laycock received a brain implant as the first step of DBS therapy. Then he activated and configured his device with programmer Erica Hennigs, the launch detailed.
“I know that the idea of brain surgery can be intimidating, but it is a procedure that changes the life that allows you to return to your own being.”
“When it comes to programming the device, at first we tested different configurations,” said Hennigs. “Then we adjust those that during follow -up visits as we learn more about how their symptoms are controlled.”
After seeing success for almost a year, Laycock progressed to a more advanced form of DBS called adaptive deep cerebral stimulation or ADB.
“Traditional DBs give the same stimulation to the brain 24 hours a day. What makes the ADB different is that it can adapt and adjust real -time stimulation.” (Cleveland Clinic)
“Traditional DBs give the same stimulation to the brain 24 hours a day. What makes the ADB different is that it can adapt and adjust the stimulation in real time,” said Dr. Michael Gostkowski, a neurologist of Cleveland Clinic, in the statement.
“When tracking a certain frequency in the brain, it can increase or reduce stimulation as necessary to better control symptoms.”
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Laycock was a good candidate for advanced therapy because his symptoms fluctuated throughout the day, which means that a treatment that could adapt to these fluctuations could be more effective, according to the clinic.
“Since Rand is a music director, ADB adjustment would reduce the risk of experimenting tremors if your medicine disappeared in the middle of a concert or acting,” said Hennigs.
Laycock was a good candidate for advanced therapy because his symptoms fluctuated throughout the day. (Rand Laycock)
Due to his previous positive experience with DBS, Laycock took the opportunity to receive the new version.
“It seemed that I would simplify my life, not have to worry about adjusting the configuration and medications of my device so often,” he told Cleveland Clinic.
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The driver implanted device was able to admit a new adaptive technology, so it was just a matter of working with Hennigs to update the configuration.
Laycock began receiving ADB in March 2025. Now, their tremors have almost completely gone, except in times of extreme stress or anxiety, according to the statement.
Throughout his health trip, Laycock has not only been supported by his care team, but also for his family. (Rand Laycock)
“And my dyskinesia is quite well under control,” he said. “My symptoms are minimal compared to the way they were, and much of that is due to adaptive deep brain stimulation.”
Laycock is now approaching his 47th year as director of Music, according to the statement, and hopes to spend time with his wife, two children and granddaughter.
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Gostkowski encourages Parkinson’s patients to ask their doctors about DBS or ADB as an option to control symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Laycock added: “I know that the idea of brain surgery can be intimidating, but it is a procedure that changes the life that allows him to return to his own being.”
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a variety of stories issues that include food and drink, travel and health.