People do n’t often volunteer themselves to be the focus of scientific investigation , but in 2016,Dr Evelina Fedorenkoat the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) found herself with a more than willing topic in a woman be intimate as “ EG ” . So name to protect her concealment , EG had contacted one of Fedorenko ’s confrere to see if she could contribute to research owing to her “ interesting brain " – and it ’s really something .
In 1987 , a fortuitous CAT scan at George Washington University Hospital divulge the unequalled nature of EG ’s brain : it was missing the leftover worldly lobe . For those unfamiliar with the left secular lobe ’s business , it ’s think to be responsible forlanguage processingin most masses – and yet here was EG , speaking two linguistic communication .
The first paper regarding EG ’s unique brain ( led by PhD candidate at MITGreta Tuckute ) has since been release in the journalNeuropsychologiaand centers around the function of the temporal lobe in language . In most mass , the majority of the work in language processing necessitate place in the left over temporal lobe , begging the question : how was EG so good with nomenclature ?
Functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) showed that EG ’s brain had found a means to indemnify with a fully working language mesh sit down in its veracious hemisphere . How it conform so well could have something to do with the timeline of the condition ’s emersion .
“ We find that — as look for other left-hand - cerebral hemisphere damage — EG has a full functional speech communication mesh in her right hemisphere [ … ] and entire linguistic ability , ” compose the report authors . “ However , we find no response to language in EG ’s remaining head-on lobe . ”
The absent lobe is bear to have been lose in early life when EG was a baby , possibly the result of a slash . The gap leave alone behind is now fill with cerebrospinal fluid .
Curiously , EG ’s babe is also overleap a worldly lobe , but on the right side instead , indicating there could be a familial link to the consideration . She is also seemingly unaffected by the miss brain part .
With one paper under their belt ammunition , EG and Fedorenko ’s squad hope to proceed building their body of research with more published sketch .
" Though Dr Fedorenko ’s studies answer some interrogative sentence about how my brain is wire the same as or other than than a typical brain , it does not state others who I am , " wrote EG in a note in the paper . " Please do not call my brain abnormal , that creeps me out . "
" For now , my brain is exceptional , unique , and interesting , and I am excited that it can help neuroscientists understand the malleability of the human Einstein . "
[ H / T : wire ]
