Frank's Story

Deep brain stimulation eases Parkinson’s symptoms for Detroit-area business leader

From his commitment to the revitalization of the Detroit area to his extensive service to the community, Frank Jonna has made a profound impact in Michigan. An inductee into the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame, a Distinguished Alumni for his years of service to Catholic Central, and the recipient of the Chaldean American Chamber Businessperson of the year, Frank, a proud husband and father of four and grandfather of 7, has humbly stated his legacy is one of gratitude.

That gratitude includes good health for most of his life. But in 2019, Frank started experiencing subtle symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and can cause uncontrolled spasms and muscle movement, along with other troubling effects. It started with symptoms such as drooling and stiffness in his joints. Eventually, other symptoms emerged. “I had some minor things, like when I would use a spoon and my right hand would start shaking causing the food to spill,” he remembers. “Then, one day I was out on the golf course and my right hand started trembling uncontrollably.”

Subtle symptoms worsen, followed by a diagnosis of Parkinson’s

About a year after his symptoms began, Frank sought a medical evaluation and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by neurologist Peter LeWitt, MD, medical director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center at Henry Ford. Dr. LeWitt prescribed medication that provided some improvement to Frank’s symptoms, initially. “I was dealing with tremors, stiffness, achiness in my legs, the feeling that my feet were stuck to the ground and general fatigue,” he explains.

With Parkinson’s disease, some patients get good results with a regimen of medications combined with physical therapy. But for others, including Frank, the combination doesn’t always yield a notable level of improvement or the effectiveness wanes over time. That’s when some patients consider a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS).

At Henry Ford Health, neurosurgeons perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided DBS to treat a variety of movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Using a device similar to a heart pacemaker, surgeons implant an electrical stimulator that targets a specific brain region with implanted electrodes. DBS can help regulate dysfunctional electrical circuits of the brain that “misfire,” causing symptoms like shaking or tremors and slowed movements.

“Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease has the particular combination of discomforts and disabilities likely to benefit from DBS, but Frank did,” says Dr. LeWitt.

While some patients remain awake during the DBS procedure, Frank underwent “asleep DBS” in May 2024 with Ellen Air, MD, chief of Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Health. The advanced procedure allows patients to undergo surgery without having a frame placed on their head and without having to be awake. The Henry Ford Movement Disorders Center was the first in Michigan and the third in the world to perform MRI-guided DBS to treat patients with Parkinson's disease, tremor, and dystonia.

Dr. Air emphasizes there are multiple benefits to being asleep for procedure. “Awake DBS placement requires that the patient hold their medications prior to surgery. With MRI-guided asleep surgery, patients can take their regular medications, leading to less discomfort after surgery,” she says.

In the weeks following his surgery, Frank returned to the hospital to have the settings adjusted on his implanted device. At that appointment, he was instructed to do several movements such as getting out of chairs, moving his fingers and writing. He says initially he could see an amazing difference in his handwriting and improvement in the way he walked. “I think I was too aggressive in my expectations, thinking the symptoms would immediately subside,” Frank says, but he learned that some of the initial improvements could be temporary.

According to Dr. Air, it can take several “programming” adjustments to the implanted device for a patient to see clear improvements. “Some symptoms respond to stimulation faster than others,” she says. “The optimal benefit typically takes several months.”

Celebrating a wedding and improved results from tremors

After several more appointments to adjust the device programming, Frank is happy to report that the surgery has made a marked difference in his quality of life.

“Something interesting happened at my daughter’s wedding,” he says. “I noticed major trembling in my hand during this time but discovered that somehow the stimulator device was turned off. When I was able to turn it back on, it made a dramatic difference with my trembling. It was clear to me then what a difference the DBS procedure makes.”

Henry Ford nurse practitioner Kari Anglin, NP, manages the programming sessions with Frank, adjusting the pulse generator device to deliver the right amount of electrical impulses to relieve symptoms.

“Frank has had improvement to his tremors, posture and the amount of time that his medications are effective throughout the day,” Kari says. “With today's DBS technology, stimulation can be fine-tuned to reduce side effects and provide targeted control of symptoms.” The device can also be self-adjusted by Frank in between appointments if needed. “There are parameters to make sure that he safely adjusts stimulation. The ability to let Frank adjust it on his own gives him welcome control over his symptoms,” she adds.

Frank, who continues to take medications to help with his symptoms, also works with two personal trainers to help with balance, strength and improved energy. He does yoga, walking, weight training and Rock Steady boxing, a high-intensity, non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness program, as part of his Parkinson’s disease management. His journey with Parkinson’s includes deep appreciation for his Henry Ford Movement Disorders team, who have been with him every step of the way.

“It’s important to emphasize that improvements in my symptoms did not happen overnight. But I’m extremely happy that after DBS, the reduction in tremors has made a major difference not only when I eat but in important everyday activities like using the computer and phone,” he notes. “The entire team at Henry Ford has been fabulous. They have been very thorough in answering my questions and explaining the process in my journey to improve symptoms and ultimately improve my quality of life.”

For further information visit Movement Disorders Treatment at Henry Ford Health.