High-Tech Brain Implants for Parkinson’s: A Patient + Neurologist on Neuromodulation

High-tech treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are on the horizon. In fact, some patients already have brain implants that help address their symptoms through “reprogramming the brain.” Hear from one patient and his doctor about the real-life story behind this innovative new treatment for Parkinson’s. Speaker, author, and Parkinson’s Disease advocate Benjamin Stecher and neurologist Dr. Alfonso Fasano, join Being Patient live talks to discuss their upcoming book on just this topic, Reprogramming the Brain. The upcoming book, traces the experience of Stecher and his doctor Fasano’s 2021 decision to surgically implant two six-inch-long metal alloy spikes all the way through his brain. With the patient and doctor writing about the experience and what was to come afterward, the upcoming book will serve as a guide for the future of the brain and neuromodulation. Stecher, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29, speaks regularly at academic centers and biotech companies about neurodegenerative diseases, research advocacy, and healthcare. The founder of Tomorrow Edition, he is a patient advisor to several organizations, including the Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorder Clinic and Rune Labs. In addition to his upcoming book, he also co-wrote Brain Fables with Alberto Espay, published by Cambridge University Press. Fasano, who holds the Chair in Neuromodulation at the University of Toronto and University Health Network, is also a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. In addition, he is staff neurologist and co-director of the Surgical Program for Movement Disorders at Toronto Western Hospital, staff neurologist at the Hospital of Sick Children in Toronto, and clinician investigator at the Krembil Research Institute and KITE – Toronto Rehabilitation Hospital. His work focuses on the treatment of movement disorders with advanced technology, pathophysiology, and treatment of tremor and gait disorders.

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