Comments on: What Happens if Your Brain is Split in Two? http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/ The Neat Side of the Web Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:20:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: lol http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-1518703 lol Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:47:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-1518703 What, there is no answer, i belive if the brain is split into two ou are going to die. It's very obvious! Totally my dear friends. Lol :) What, there is no answer, i belive if the brain is split into two ou are going to die. It's very obvious! Totally

my dear friends. Lol :)

]]> By: Nicholas Dollak http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-445098 Nicholas Dollak Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:27:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-445098 Re; #13 (Jenny K.) - Epileptic siezures, if I remember correctly, have something to do with the firing of neurons in response to each other. This is true for most thought processes, such as the ability to say the name of an object we see. In epileptics, the firing becomes erratic, and siezures are the result. In the case of Joe, firing in one hemisphere triggered firing in the other and back again, so splitting the corpus callosum seemed like a reasonable way to disrupt the problem. The down side is that he cannot name objects perceived only by his right brain (left eye). In his (and most people's) brain, the language center is in the left hemisphere, and the artistic skills are in the right hemisphere. (Keep in mind that these hemispheres control the opposite sides of the body, which is why his right brain perceives what his left eye sees, and why he can draw the objects with his left hand. I'm also using "artistic" in a very broad sense; his drawings are purely functional. In a true artist, the artistic abilities are less compartmentalized in the brain than in non-artists.) Strobe lights can trigger siezures in both epilleptics and non-epilleptics (although the strobing frequencies required to do this are different), which is why it is prudent to warn audiences if a strobe light is to be used in a performance. I still have no idea what's happening in a whole sequence near the end of the original "Alien" film, because of the strobe light that accompanies the ship's auto-destruct. After about three seconds of the flashing, I get serious migraine and have to cover my eyes. I wonder if there are plans to release some "ultimate" DVD of the movie with a strobe-free version of that scene as an extra feature...? Re; #13 (Jenny K.) - Epileptic siezures, if I remember correctly, have something to do with the firing of neurons in response to each other. This is true for most thought processes, such as the ability to say the name of an object we see. In epileptics, the firing becomes erratic, and siezures are the result. In the case of Joe, firing in one hemisphere triggered firing in the other and back again, so splitting the corpus callosum seemed like a reasonable way to disrupt the problem.

The down side is that he cannot name objects perceived only by his right brain (left eye). In his (and most people's) brain, the language center is in the left hemisphere, and the artistic skills are in the right hemisphere. (Keep in mind that these hemispheres control the opposite sides of the body, which is why his right brain perceives what his left eye sees, and why he can draw the objects with his left hand. I'm also using "artistic" in a very broad sense; his drawings are purely functional. In a true artist, the artistic abilities are less compartmentalized in the brain than in non-artists.)

Strobe lights can trigger siezures in both epilleptics and non-epilleptics (although the strobing frequencies required to do this are different), which is why it is prudent to warn audiences if a strobe light is to be used in a performance. I still have no idea what's happening in a whole sequence near the end of the original "Alien" film, because of the strobe light that accompanies the ship's auto-destruct. After about three seconds of the flashing, I get serious migraine and have to cover my eyes. I wonder if there are plans to release some "ultimate" DVD of the movie with a strobe-free version of that scene as an extra feature...?

]]> By: heather http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-444615 heather Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:44:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-444615 That's really interesting. it makes you think about the nature of your own thought processes and our sense of being. Deep stuff. That's really interesting. it makes you think about the nature of your own thought processes and our sense of being. Deep stuff.

]]> By: robgonzo http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-441923 robgonzo Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:21:06 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-441923 i saw a similar video years back. That patient was given tasks to do, like stacking blocks or something, with one hand and other hand kept interfering. At one point his hand slapped his other to keep it out of the way and eventually the patient had to sit on his hand to finish his task. Fascinating stuff. i saw a similar video years back. That patient was given tasks to do, like stacking blocks or something, with one hand and other hand kept interfering. At one point his hand slapped his other to keep it out of the way and eventually the patient had to sit on his hand to finish his task. Fascinating stuff.

]]> By: MStrickl http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-441751 MStrickl Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:28:50 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-441751 For anyone interested by this clip, I would highly highly recommend reading Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan. It is a fascinating look into the human brain and the evolution of human intelligence. It is inspiring and educational, but not in a put me to sleep science factoid way. Carl Sagan is (was) the best science writer on the planet. For anyone interested by this clip, I would highly highly recommend reading Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan. It is a fascinating look into the human brain and the evolution of human intelligence. It is inspiring and educational, but not in a put me to sleep science factoid way. Carl Sagan is (was) the best science writer on the planet.

]]> By: DanO http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-441622 DanO Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:18:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-441622 that guy would be excellent at sense o sketches when playing cranium. that guy would be excellent at sense o sketches when playing cranium.

]]> By: MoonCake http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-440512 MoonCake Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:12:26 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-440512 this is crazy nuts, yo! absolutely phenominal. this is crazy nuts, yo! absolutely phenominal.

]]> By: Jenny K. http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439947 Jenny K. Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:53:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439947 I know it isn't as interesting as the video but I wonder how this treated his seizures? I know it isn't as interesting as the video but I wonder how this treated his seizures?

]]> By: castaa11 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439885 castaa11 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:56:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439885 Very interesting- coincidentally, I wrote a short paper about this just a few days ago, and here it shows up on Neatorama! Very interesting- coincidentally, I wrote a short paper about this just a few days ago, and here it shows up on Neatorama!

]]> By: Erik Olson http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439731 Erik Olson Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:42:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439731 Thanks a ton for posting it. Once again, you've made my day better. And nice timing too. Because I'm hanging out with the beautiful Gaby Kubik right now. Thanks a ton for posting it.
Once again, you've made my day better.
And nice timing too.
Because I'm hanging out with the beautiful Gaby Kubik right now.

]]> By: DreadLetterDay http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439279 DreadLetterDay Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:18:16 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439279 also, while labotomies are definitely out, the burning away of non-diseased structures definitely does happen in the treatment of extreme depression, for example. google is your ally. also, while labotomies are definitely out, the burning away of non-diseased structures definitely does happen in the treatment of extreme depression, for example.

google is your ally.

]]> By: DreadLetterDay http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439273 DreadLetterDay Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:16:19 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439273 I lost my right eye some five years ago, though i still have the corpus callosum of course, i wonder if there might be any effects (aside from some depth perception problems ;) ). Cool video... I've read about this effect before, but never seen it in action. I lost my right eye some five years ago, though i still have the corpus callosum of course, i wonder if there might be any effects (aside from some depth perception problems ;) ).

Cool video... I've read about this effect before, but never seen it in action.

]]> By: Indie http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439230 Indie Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:36:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439230 Yes, you're right: it does. Spent an entire day yesterday at an ECT clinic as a part of my internship. Yes, you're right: it does. Spent an entire day yesterday at an ECT clinic as a part of my internship.

]]> By: Larfin Jackarse http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439029 Larfin Jackarse Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:37:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439029 Electroshock therapy does continue today on a large scale (relative). Check wikipedia as a starting point. Electroshock therapy does continue today on a large scale (relative). Check wikipedia as a starting point.

]]> By: Indie http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439025 Indie Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:29:49 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439025 Lan-the-pianist, you have never seen a real ECT treatment have you? It's nothing like what you think. Though it does involve using a shock, it is the most natural treament we have in respect to neurochemistry (point being that you don't alter the levels of different neurotransmittors pharmaceutically). It is also the most affective treatment we have against depression. You were right about lobotomies though: they are completely out of the picture clinically (at least in modern medicine; i'm sure trepanation still exists in some form or other)... Lan-the-pianist,
you have never seen a real ECT treatment have you? It's nothing like what you think. Though it does involve using a shock, it is the most natural treament we have in respect to neurochemistry (point being that you don't alter the levels of different neurotransmittors pharmaceutically). It is also the most affective treatment we have against depression. You were right about lobotomies though: they are completely out of the picture clinically (at least in modern medicine; i'm sure trepanation still exists in some form or other)...

]]> By: TT http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-439006 TT Sat, 09 Feb 2008 06:56:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-439006 Thank you for that! That explains a lot. Absolutely fascinating, isn't it? Thank you for that!

That explains a lot. Absolutely fascinating, isn't it?

]]> By: Lan-the-Pianist http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-438894 Lan-the-Pianist Sat, 09 Feb 2008 04:18:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-438894 I learned about this in Psyc 101. Back then (and even now) they didn't have much of an understanding of the brain and really just tried to come up with solutions to ease the life of the patient without really being able to predict the effects. At least we're not still prescribing electroshock therapy and lobotomies left and right like they used to. Watching those electroshock videos was disturbing =\ I learned about this in Psyc 101. Back then (and even now) they didn't have much of an understanding of the brain and really just tried to come up with solutions to ease the life of the patient without really being able to predict the effects.

At least we're not still prescribing electroshock therapy and lobotomies left and right like they used to. Watching those electroshock videos was disturbing =\

]]> By: Lemons http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-438780 Lemons Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:45:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-438780 The effect they were intending to produce was the end of his seizures. The doctors didn't just chop his brain up for the heck of it, but it wouldn't make any sense *not* to study the resultant side effects. The effect they were intending to produce was the end of his seizures. The doctors didn't just chop his brain up for the heck of it, but it wouldn't make any sense *not* to study the resultant side effects.

]]> By: Matt http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-438755 Matt Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:29:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-438755 Destroying the brain and nervous system is an old psychiatric method. Personally I think mutilating someone's body to produce an effect is disgusting. Destroying the brain and nervous system is an old psychiatric method.

Personally I think mutilating someone's body to produce an effect is disgusting.

]]> By: Nate Deviate http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/comment-page-1/#comment-438746 Nate Deviate Sat, 09 Feb 2008 02:14:30 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/08/what-happens-if-your-brain-is-split-in-two/#comment-438746 That is so Strange.. That is so Strange..

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