"The Woman With The Hole In Her Brain"

In the article "The Woman With The Hole In Her Brain", describes a woman who upon receiving a CAT scan discovered that a small part of her brain- the cerebellum- was missing. In the space where her cerebellum should be, was cerebrospinal fluid- which provides defense for the brain against disease. The cerebellum represents ten percent of the brains total volume; however, makes up fifty percent of its neurons. The main function of the cerebellum is controlling voluntary movements and balance, and possibly involved in the ability for a individual's motor actions and speech. Without a cerebellum, many possible complications could arise such as mental impairment, epilepsy, or a build up of fluid in the brain. The woman, however only seemed to suffer from mild speech problems and mild motor deficiency.

Frontal Lobe Damage

The frontal lobe is considered the emotional control center and the "home" of an individuals personality. It is also involved in motor function, problem solving, memory, language, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior. The frontal lobe is very vulnerable due to the fact that it is located in the front of the skull and its large size. If a individual injures his/her frontal lobe, it can effect the personality of the individual, as well as difficulty interpreting feedback from the environment, and difficulty with different facial expressions and problem solving. Even though the damage to the frontal lobe can be permanent, rehabilitation is possible to regain a small degree of prior function.