# Friday Math Movie - Deep Brain Stimulation

By Murray Bourne, 29 Aug 2008

This is a story about one man's battle with Parkinsons Disease. To control his wild muscular movements, he has a computer implanted near his collar bone which sends signals into his sub-thalamic nucleus. This is an area of the brain just below the thalamus and it controls muscle movements.

Since everyone's brain is different, the doctors need to determine where to place the electrodes. They do this by asking the patient questions during his brain surgery - while he is awake.

The underlying math in this movie includes 3D geometry, trigonometry, and of course, algebra.

UPDATE: Sorry, this video no longer exists.

Also check out the interesting movie about 3D imaging and brain surgery over at CNet.com.

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