'CSI' Actor Sings, Plays Guitar During 'Awake' Brain Surgery
WESTWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A Hollywood actor and musician took on one of his most challenging roles yet when he broke out in song and played guitar live during an "awake" brain surgery procedure.
Brad Carter, 39, became the 500th person to undergo a Deep Brain Stimulation procedure at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Thursday. In 2006, Carter was diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremors, a disorder that causes his hands to shake and eyes to twitch involuntarily.
A video that went viral on social networking sites showed the Georgia-born entertainer playing guitar after he was woken up during the procedure to implant electrodes into his brain to stimulate and normalize brain cell activity.
Doctors reported a "big improvement" in Carter's tremors immediately following the procedure, which is known as an awake craniotomy.
The surgery was tweeted live on Twitter with video, with Carter's guitar performance marking a first for UCLA Medical Center.
Carter has been seen in roles on TV's "CSI:NY", "The Mentalist" and other shows, as well as several commercials.
