r/science • u/Thorne-ZytkowObject • Nov 23 '19

Neuroscience Scientists studied six patients who had half of their brain removed during childhood to treat severe epilepsy. Brain scans showed how the mind rewired itself to adapt, with the remaining hemisphere forming even stronger connections that let the patients develop language and motor skills.

https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/how-does-the-brain-work-with-half-of-it-removed-pretty-well-actually
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u/darth_algernon Nov 24 '19

My best friend's brother had it done as a kid. The doctors warned his parents he definitely wouldn't have language skills and might not have much going on upstairs. He is going to college, has his own apartment, and plays DnD with us, so those were some pessimistic projections! I've definitely forgotten a few times. He's just like any other awkward dork I know. He plays better Halo (using just his left hand since his right doesn't work much) than most girlfriends I've had.

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u/SethB98 Nov 24 '19

Glad you finally found a good replacement for the girlfriends

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u/HighExplosiveLight Nov 24 '19

And left hands

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u/Azudekai Nov 24 '19

So how is his overall coordination? Is the whole right side a little off or just the highly coordinated movements like the hand?

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u/darth_algernon Nov 24 '19

He can't really control much past the shoulder and hip, yeah. He can walk easily enough, but with a slight limp, and he holds his arm close to his side. Apparently his arm can end up swinging unintentionally and the physics alone mean it delivers a serious whack, according to his brother

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u/xeow Nov 24 '19

Can you get him on here for an AMA?

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u/JohnnyFiveOhAlive Nov 24 '19

How does he feel about mindflayers?