Slicing for Science
So almost a year ago, I posted the below in memoriam of one of the most valuable, and least aware, contributors to modern neuroscience.
Many people with famous brains are recognized for their exceptionally good brains - Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking - to name a couple. This week marked the death of someone who was also known for his brain, but not because it was good. While the initials "H.M." may mean nothing to most people, students of neuroscience, cognitive science and even psychology will surely recall the importance of H.M.'s brain.
Known only as H.M. for patient confidentiality during his lifetime, Henry Molaison was the victim of severe seizures. In 1953, sections of H.M.'s medial temporal lobe were removed in an attempt to regain control of his brain. The results were significant and important for our understanding of memory.
After the surgery, H.M. experienced some retrograde amnesia (inability to remember what happened for a few days leading up to the surgery) and a near complete anterograde amnesia (ability to form new memories). His memory of his life up to a few days before the surgery was normal. He could perform short term memory tasks (working memory) but could form no new semantic memories. At all. He could, however, improve in procedural tasks, but had no recollection of having ever performed them before.
This was invaluable in understanding the roles of certain brain structures, and a fascinating study of different types of memory which had never been so clearly illustrated before.
Despite his condition, or perhaps because of it, H.M. reportedly lived a very happy life, was constantly studied (with his repeated consent) and provided the world a great deal of insight into the workings of the human brain.
The world will remember you, Henry Molaison.
Now, not only is science saving his brain for future research, but you can watch them live. They are currently on the frontal lobe, and listening to the Beatles. Some additional background here on what you're watching.
Many people with famous brains are recognized for their exceptionally good brains - Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking - to name a couple. This week marked the death of someone who was also known for his brain, but not because it was good. While the initials "H.M." may mean nothing to most people, students of neuroscience, cognitive science and even psychology will surely recall the importance of H.M.'s brain.
Known only as H.M. for patient confidentiality during his lifetime, Henry Molaison was the victim of severe seizures. In 1953, sections of H.M.'s medial temporal lobe were removed in an attempt to regain control of his brain. The results were significant and important for our understanding of memory.
After the surgery, H.M. experienced some retrograde amnesia (inability to remember what happened for a few days leading up to the surgery) and a near complete anterograde amnesia (ability to form new memories). His memory of his life up to a few days before the surgery was normal. He could perform short term memory tasks (working memory) but could form no new semantic memories. At all. He could, however, improve in procedural tasks, but had no recollection of having ever performed them before.
This was invaluable in understanding the roles of certain brain structures, and a fascinating study of different types of memory which had never been so clearly illustrated before.
Despite his condition, or perhaps because of it, H.M. reportedly lived a very happy life, was constantly studied (with his repeated consent) and provided the world a great deal of insight into the workings of the human brain.
The world will remember you, Henry Molaison.
Now, not only is science saving his brain for future research, but you can watch them live. They are currently on the frontal lobe, and listening to the Beatles. Some additional background here on what you're watching.