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Grey Matters: How controversial and drastic neurosurgeries have contributed to our knowledge of the brain

2012; Volume: 16; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5070/bs3162016102

2373-8146

Tanu Patel,

History of Medical Practice

G rey M atters : H ow controversial and drastic neurosurgeries have contributed to our knowledge of the brain Tanu Patel Figure 1. An illustration and model of Phineas Gage’s skull Trepanned skulls, or skulls with holes drilled through to the outermost later of the brain, the dura mater, have been found at a number of ancient sites spanning multiple continents including modern day Europe, and South America. These findings date back to as early as 2000 B.C. The trepanations themselves span from centimeters in diameter to the size of half of the skull. Scientists and anthropologists alike hypothesize that ancient peoples performed such surgeries as medical cures for headaches, seizures and the like. Some also propose that trepanation might have been seen as a method for removing evil spirits from the body. (“An illustrated,” 2008). Both theories have valid supporting arguments, and we will never know for sure what the reasons for trepanation were. “destruction of brain structures can result in newer and stronger brain” Fast forwarding to more recent history however, in 1848, Phineas Gage, a railroad worker, had a work-related accident that resulted in metal rod going through the frontal lobe of his brain. Doctors removed the rod to the best of their ability, and Gage, surprisingly, survived. But the damage done to the frontal lobe of his brain caused him to have significant behavioral changes. Friends who previously described him as being organized and dependent did not recognize the man that came out of the accident. The post-accident Gage was described as lacking the ability to formulate and carry out complex plans, and as being unreasonably belligerent and profane. Some accounts even claim that Gage began molesting children post-accident (Costandi, 2010). Scientists of the era were able to hypothesize the functions of the frontal lobe, based on the type of changes that Gage underwent. These behavioral changes caused scientists of the era to realize that the mind and brain may be one and together, and that behavior may be encoded in the physical brain. This realization took society one significant step further to solving the mind-brain problem, and was the basis for the neurosurgical experimentation of the 1900s. For example, in 1934, Antonio Egas Moniz, a Portuguese neurosurgeon performed 27 lobotomies and in 1949, he shared a Nobel Prize for developing the procedure. (“Moniz,” 1998) A lobotomy cuts connections to the anterior part of the frontal lobe. It was thought to cure people of tension, depression, schizophrenia, and the like. B erkeley S cientific J ournal S ave or D estroy • S pring 2012 • V olume 16 • I ssue 2 • 1 B S J Transcripts of the ancient philosophers tell us that early man often wondered if the human mind was not more complex than the physical brain. It was thought that there existed a soul component to the human body that separated man from animal. Thousands of years later, mankind is still grappling with the same questions. Moreover, what we have learned about the physiology and development of the brain since ancient times has only increased the depth and breadth of the questions we ask. Surprisingly. the destruction of the brain, has played quite a role in our understanding of human life. It wasn’t until we started destroying brains to save people that our rigorous attempts to answer questions started bearing tangible fruit.