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Sunday, April 17, 2016

No Brain No Gain?

Article here

A woman lived her life until the age of 24 no knowing that she didn't have a cerebellum. Growing up, she was unable to talk until the age of 6, and unable to walk until the age of 7. This is because the cerebellum controls voluntary movements and also balance is After doctors used a CAT scan to see, the doctors noticed that the area where a cerebrum should be was filled with cerebrospinal fluid, something the brain uses to fight against diseases. Although she doesn't have a cerebellum, the rest of her brain took over the cerebellum's functions through brain plasticity. Because of this she was able to eventually walk, talk and be like anyone else.

In my own research, I looked deeper into another part of the brain, the pons. The pons are used in controlling breathing, and using our senses, such as hearing, touch, and balance. It also deals with one of the five pillars of health, sleep. Pons are crucial in REM sleep. If damage were to be done to our pons, chances of survival are low because they are linked to key functions such as respiration that all humans need to perform in order to survive. That being said, it's unlikely for other parts of the brain to takeover its function because without pons we would have a low chance of survival.

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