The musician was only identified by the pseudonym "Li Xiaong," a resident of China's northern Jilin province. Li's muscle loss was attributed to a rare neurological disease that worsened over time. He decided to undergo brain surgery after meeting with a doctor who ultimately treated him with a procedure using deep brain stimulation. During Monday's surgery, doctors surgically implanted medical electrodes into parts of Li's brain to help stimulate neurons controlling muscles in the man's fingers. Li needed to remain conscious through the surgery to help doctors with their placement. He was able to test the success of the implants during the procedure by playing the guitar. Li's doctor was quoted in the article saying the surgery returned about 80 percent of his patient's ability to use his finger muscles. The remainder will return through physical therapy. Source
