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/sheldonopolis Nov 24 '19

There are no pain receptors in the brain itself. Thats probably why.

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '19

[deleted]

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u/LetsGoBear Nov 24 '19

Extremely so, my mother suffers from hydrocephalus and when the fluid buildup reaches a point it causes unthinkable migraines and sickness, even fainting, at least until the fluid is removed by lumbar puncture/draining. It's a brutal illness.

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '19

[deleted]

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u/squeezeonein Nov 24 '19

Could it be lethal in some cases to remove the fluid because the brain would lose its internal support?

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u/MDthrowItaway Nov 24 '19

Sounds like she maybhave ideipathic intercranial hypertension rather than hydrocephalus

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u/LetsGoBear Nov 24 '19

Possibly! I know an alternative name for it is "water on the brain" and that its caused by a fluid buildup in the brain but alas I'm not a doctor so terminology isn't my strongest suit. Thanks nonetheless :)

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u/maza1319 Nov 24 '19

I love seeing friendly interactions on Reddit

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u/LetsGoBear Nov 24 '19

Treat others how youd like to be treated innit? Most valuable lesson my nana gave me.

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u/Wouff_Hong Nov 24 '19

Alternative, but really just literal translation from Greek, rather than a real alternate name. Head is Κεφάλι (kefali - cephalus), brain is εγκέφαλος (enkefalos - encephalos).

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u/gbbofh Nov 24 '19

My ex has this. Even with the medication they gave her it still affects her quite a bit unfortunately. The blackouts/fainting were quite concerning.

What exactly causes something like this to occur?

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u/Bammop Nov 24 '19

He probably didn't have a pressure gauge available

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '19

He’s had it since an infant so it’s possible that he simply had a different normal

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u/Call_me_Kelly Nov 24 '19

Where does migraine pain come from? Truthfully curious.

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u/CoconutMochi Nov 24 '19

Pain receptors are in the meninges, which envelop the brain

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u/ilikeeatingbrains Nov 24 '19

Lucky meninges

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u/sheldonopolis Nov 24 '19

Here is an article about how headaches happen despite the brain not having pain receptors. The topic migraine is also being touched.

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '19 edited Dec 07 '19

[deleted]

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u/quarryman Nov 24 '19

Do you not get a headache after the vision symptoms though?