Deep brain stimulation keeps amateur artist’s hands steady
John Lattimore, an amateur artist, shares his journey of finding relief from essential tremors through deep brain stimulation surgery. Enduring a lifetime of involuntary movements affecting his hands, arms, head, trunk, and vocal cords, Lattimore's condition hindered daily tasks and hobbies.
However, after consulting with Alexander Papanastassiou. MD, at UT Health San Antonio, he opted for deep brain stimulation surgery, a procedure involving the placement of electrodes in the brain to control tremors. Despite initial apprehension about the surgery and the prospect of being awake during the procedure, Lattimore's decision proved life-changing.
Today, he expresses gratitude for the surgery, experiencing newfound steadiness in his hands and a revitalized ability to pursue his passions, including watercolor painting. His story is a testament to the transformative power of medical innovation and the hope it brings to individuals living with neurological disorders.
Visit UTHealthCare.org/DBSsurgery to learn more about the risks and benefits of DBS or to schedule a consultation.
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Alexander Papanastassiou, M.D.
Dr. Alexander Papanastassiou is an associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at UT Health San Antonio. He specializes in general neurosurgery and surgery for epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. His expertise is in resective surgery, radiosurgery and neuromodulation, including deep brain stimulation and microvascular decompression.
Dr. Papanastassiou’s research is aimed at advancing the understanding of brain function using neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and functional neuroimaging to maximize neuropsychological outcomes in patients with neurological illnesses.
He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. He is also an active member of the American Epilepsy Society and the Movement Disorders Society.