Today I Learned (TIL)

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TIL that in 1848 a railroad worker survived an accident where an iron bar pierced through his head, destroying most of his left frontal lobe. However, his personality and behavior changed considerably (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 11 months ago by garfaagel@sh.itjust.works to c/til@lemmy.ca

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[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 14 points 11 months ago (2 children)

The human brain has an incredible capacity to keep working under ridiculous circumstances. Remove half your brain? You're good besides having to relearn some stuff.

Born with 90% of your brain missing? Might not even know until you have an unrelated MRI as an adult (true story, guy only had a shell of a brain filled with CSF).

[–] EmoDuck@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

This makes me wonder, could it be possible to have a stroke without ever knowing because your brain adapted to it?

[–] Maestro@kbin.social 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I don't think so. It takes time for the brain to adapt. A stroke is a very sudden event. You're going to notice it. But you may fully recover, even if there is permanent brain tissue damage.

[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago

You can absolutely have mini strokes and not notice it, but they're basically warning tremors to a big stroke down the line.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 11 months ago

Could be those micro strokes just effecting small area. could remove memory or function that goes un noticed

[–] scytale@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Born with 90% of your brain missing? Might not even know until you have an unrelated MRI as an adult (true story, guy only had a shell of a brain filled with CSF).

Did he otherwise have a normal life and behaved normally? Also, what's CSF?

[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

I think he had an IQ that was below average, but other than that I believe he was normal.

And cerebral spinal fluid.

[–] amio@kbin.social 2 points 11 months ago

CSF is cerebrospinal fluid, liquid in and around your brain/spine.