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0 points_8ljf6y ago0 comments

“If you lose half your brain, you’re probably dead, and if not, you’ll be drastically impaired the rest of your life.”

Depends.

Patients who undergo hemispherectomy at a very young age can recover remarkably well; a testament to the incredible plasticity of the developing brain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemispherectomy

In adult brains, yeah, it’s a very different story. See also: stroke.

Honestly, you’re both right. It is only one of a multitude of highly interconnected interdependent organs; but it can (and usually does) do some truly incredible stuff while running within that system.†

† Assuming, of course, that Descartes/Wachowskis aren’t right after all.<g>

0 comments

bluesroo6y ago

This is probably an example of an "exception that proves the rule".

Balgair6y ago

There are a fair few exceptions though:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Molaison#See_also

Mind, these are the 'famous' people.

My google-fu isn't super great here, so I've not sources, but I know of a few cases of French postmen that 'suffered' from hydranencephaly, were married, with many children, and otherwise 'normal'. It's not super uncommon that people with otherwise good balance but who cannot ride a bike also 'suffer' from a lack of a cerebellum.

The wiki article on hydranencephaly is SUPER wild. Take a look at that picture of that baby! Though it is typically lethal, there are cases where those affected survive into adulthood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydranencephaly

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