Sunderland lorry driver has breakthrough brain implant to stop Parkinson’s symptoms
Written by Luke Carr on 31st January 2025
A Sunderland man has been fitted with a pioneering brain implant that has helped him tackle his severe tremors due to Parkinson’s disease.
(Credit- Kevin Hill)- Approved
A small computer that Kevin Hill has described as the size of a “Jaffa Cake” was inserted into his chest wall a year ago – one of the first people in the world to receive the treatment.
The computer is linked with wires, sending vital electrical signals to the brain.
A recent update to the device now means scientists can read the patient’s brain activity.
The 65-year-old from Sunderland described the process as “amazing” and his tremors were instantly cured, making his wife cry tears of joy.
Mr Hill was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017 suffering from severe tremors in his thumbs which spread to his arms and legs. He had to give up his job as a lorry driver as a result.
After various medications failed to work and his “tremors getting worse by the month”, Mr Hill was informed about a new treatment being trialed, known as deep brain stimulation (DBS)
When the DBS was switched on after the surgery, Mr Hill said that his body tremors “stopped instantly” and that he was in “absolute shock.”
He said that before the procedure: “I was very conscious of my Parkinson’s; it made me avoid all social situations and it started to impact my mental health.
“I just wanted to hide away from the world, and I became very tired and anxious.”
Now Mr Hill is back on his bike and enjoys going to social events with his friends.
He added: “Newcastle RVI (Royal Victoria infirmary) does wonderful things, and I am told that the implant could last me 10-20 years which is brilliant news.”
More than 153,000 people live with Parkinsons disease in the UK, 19,500 from the Northeast.
Newcastle RVI is one of only four hospitals in the world to offer the treatment.
Neurosurgeon Akbar Hussain said: “Our expertise and experience using this system means we’re now one of the first places in the world to be able to move to the next level and offer the latest adaptive technology to patients.
“I am really excited and proud we can offer this to our patients.”