Overview
This lecture discussed the brain's remarkable ability to adapt and heal, focusing on a case study of a child who underwent a hemispherectomy due to severe epilepsy.
Case Study: Jody Miller
- Jody Miller experienced severe epileptic seizures starting at age three, primarily affecting her left side.
- Medication failed to control her seizures, which were traced to the right hemisphere of her brain.
- Diagnosis was Rasmussen syndrome, a degenerative brain disorder causing frequent, severe seizures.
Treatment and Surgery
- The only effective treatment was a hemispherectomy, the surgical removal of one hemisphere of the brain.
- Dr. Ben Carson performed the surgery, removing Jody's right hemisphere while protecting vital life functions.
- Post-surgery MRI confirmed complete removal of the right hemisphere, replaced by cerebrospinal fluid.
Brain Structure and Function
- The cerebral cortex, making up 85% of the brain, is divided into two hemispheres with four lobes each.
- Each hemisphere controls movement and sensation on the opposite side of the body.
Brain Plasticity and Recovery
- The brain's plasticity enables it to reorganize and create new neural connections after injury or surgery.
- Jody's left hemisphere adapted quickly, taking over functions previously managed by the right.
- After surgery, Jody was able to walk within 10 days and continues physical therapy for her left side.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Epileptic Seizure — Sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing involuntary movements or loss of consciousness.
- Rasmussen Syndrome — A rare brain disorder causing chronic inflammation and severe seizures, often localized to one hemisphere.
- Hemispherectomy — Surgical removal of one cerebral hemisphere, usually to treat severe epilepsy.
- Cerebral Cortex — The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher functions like thought, sensation, and voluntary movement.
- Plasticity — The brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections after damage or injury.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review textbook material on brain structure, function, and plasticity.
- Prepare for a quiz on neurological disorders and treatments discussed.