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Author
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Topic: Brains can re-wire themselves
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Michael Moriarity
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1128
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posted 04 July 2006 06:49 PM
There is a story in the news about a man in Arkansas who was in a coma
for 19 years, until he returned to consciousness, gradually, starting
around 3 years ago. This is not due to any special therapy, and is not a
unique case. Terry Wallis was 19 in 1984, when a road accident caused
severe damage to his brain. What is making news is that scientists used
the latest in brain scanning technology to observe the process of this
patient's brain creating new connections between the surviving brain
cells, during the period after he regained consciousness. As his ability
to speak, and control his body increased, they were able to observe the
development of new axons, connecting brain cells. Apparently, his
increasing levels of functionality are a result of his brain re-wiring
itself, by establishing new connections between surviving brain cells,
to carry out the tasks formerly done by the billions of cells destroyed
in the accident.I am a computer geek. I have been writing software for over 25 years,
and I always repair my own computers. The suggestion that the human
brain (whole body, really, I guess) is capable of responding to a
devastating destruction of brain tissue by growing new connections to
work around the damage, and restore some part of normal functionality
strikes me as a FUCKING MIRACLE. Sorry for shouting, but I am just
gob-smacked that any self-repair would be possible for such a complex
information processing system. I don't believe in God, and I don't
believe in no-God, because I see no possible way of testing the
hypothesis. But, heavens to betsy, it is impressive that a system of any
sort can do this type of thing. It boggles my all too finite mind. So, does anybody else find this development philosophically interesting?
Or am I just obsessing because of my ingrained geekiness?
From: Hamilton | Registered: Jul 2001
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Noise
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12603
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posted 06 July 2006 11:56 AM
quote:
The suggestion that the human
brain (whole body, really, I guess) is capable of responding to a
devastating destruction of brain tissue by growing new connections to
work around the damage, and restore some part of normal functionality
strikes me as a FUCKING MIRACLE
How is that a miracle? The brain grew those connections in the first place... It can regrow them. Your body is a much better engineered peice o work than you seem to give it credit for. I think this stems from misinfo regarding brain cell death and the notion that the brain cannot grow new 'brain cells'... I think it must have originally started as a way of telling people to stop drinking actually  Your brain right now (regardless of not being watched or monitered) is forming all sorts of connections (and then 'unforming' them soon after... What do you think them short term / not recorded thoughts in your head are caused by? Them thoughts are your brain manipulating neurons to form thoughts and then rearanging them to the next though you want to think. Long term memory is stored in protiens instead... But thats a different thread had you wanted ^^) Want to do some forced brain growth? Switch which hand is your dominant... If you are right handed, teach yourself to write left handed... Eat with your left hand, reach for things with your left hand, use your mouse with your left hand. As you do this your are forcing your brain to make and reenforce nueral connections with your body. After the first 2 weeks or so, you will have found that these connections become much stronger pretty quickly... Heh, my hands 'fight' one another and I'll often reach for a pen with both hands at the same time unwittingly.
Should addit... certain drugs (such as Crystal Meth) can re-wire brains as well (in no way for the better mind you).
[ 06 July 2006: Message edited by: Noise ]
From: Protest is Patriotism | Registered: May 2006
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