Neurology's Most Interesting Case

The year was 1848. A 25-year-old man named Phineas Gage was doing his usual job as a railroad supervisor, just as he did every other day, using an iron rod to pack blasting powder into a rock. What he didn't know is that this day wouldn't be just like any other. Without knowing it, an explosion occurred, driving the rod through Gage's cheek and out the top of his head. The shocking part? He lived, becoming one of the most interesting cases in neuroscience in history. A piece of his frontal lobe was taken out with the rod, plus his skull was cracked. Effects include a total twist in his personality from the brain damage. Now, following his death almost 150 years ago, his brain is still studied by scientists eager to figure out the mystery of Phineas Gage's survival and how his brain continued to function. His skull has been preserved to continue being studied. Recently, his brain and skull have been reconstructed using data files as a reference. This situation leaves neurologists with a new perception of the human brain.
This situation intrigues me. The fact that this man was able to live after such severe brain and skull damage puzzles me. It is evident why scientists are so interested in this study. This event caused researchers to consider the brain possibly working in a hidden manner that has yet to be discovered. I also find that it makes you think how something happening in just a few moments can have a lasting impact. It probably only took a few seconds for Phineas Gage's injury to occur. Now, almost 150 years later, it is still being studied and taken into account. This could also reign true for countless other moments.


The article can be found at http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-05/phineas-gage-neurologys-most-interesting-case-gets-his-head-re-examined-new-neural-map.

X-ray of a normal human head

                                                                                                     


http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-05/phineas-gage-neurologys-most-interesting-case-gets-his-head-re-examined-new-neural-map.

http://www.123rf.com/photo_6150604_x-ray-human-brain-and-skull.html