Pat Wolfe and me

With Pat Wolfe, at the January 2011 Brainy Bunch Renewal.

Learning about the Brain- in Napa, CA

Hello Everyone.  I'm on my final day in Napa, California- learning more about the brain!  I'm so lucky to be a part of this group, Pat Wolfe's Brainy Bunch!  For the past 4 days, I've had the opportunity to learn from 45 other "brain junkies"- extremely accomplished educators from across the country who share my passion for learning about- and teaching about- the brain. It is always great to be around Pat Wolfe, and she brings in wonderful speakers to work with us.  On Saturday, we learned from Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, a leading researcher in the area of ADHD.  And yesterday, we learned from Dr. David Amaral, an expert on Autism Spectrum disorders. Both were excellent speakers!

I'm anxious to return home and share some of the information I've learned with Iowa educators.  On this fourth and final day in Napa, we'll be discussing what we learned, and will also hear from some of our fellow BB members about projects they are working on, and research they are doing!

Since I don't fly home until early Tuesday morning, I'll have this afternoon and evening to relax in San Francisco.  My traveling companion, Margie O. and I are still trying to decide just how to spend our time.  Most likely-  a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, a trip to the Muir Woods, and possibly a trip to a great mall in San Bruno. We won't have much time, but we always have fun!

More later!  Happy MLK Day everyone!

Learning about the brain- through a tragedy

Now that we’re half way through January, I’ll wish you all a Happy New Year!  I hope that you had a relaxing break from the action and got to spend lots of quality time with family and friends.  

While at home over Christmas break, I was telling my son (John) and my daughter (Anne) about my attempt to enter the Web 2.0 world as a blogger.  I told them how excited I was to try my hand at blogging, as a way of maintaining a connection with class participants between sessions, and to pass along information that I’m hearing about and reading about the brain.   Anne, in a very helpful and courteous manner, asked if she could provide me with some “constructive criticism.”  I of course told her “yes”, and she went on to tell me,   “Mom, I think you use too many exclamation points in your blog posts.”  I responded to this very genuine concern by telling her that she’s probably right- but that when I’m writing, I tend to use the punctuation marks that will best communicate in the “voice” I would use if I was actually speaking.  Anne responded by saying, “I know, Mom.  It’s just that you seem overly excited about this brain stuff.” 

 

Well, after nursing my pride regarding the critique of my punctuation skills, I’ve decided that Anne is probably right.  Guilty, as charged.  I AM excited about anything brain-related.  So… please excuse my excessive use of exclamation marks.  It’s a habit that I’m afraid I won’t be able to break!!!!!!!   (Sorry, Anne!!!!)

I always take a great deal of interest in any story that appears in the media regarding the brain.  The latest “story” however, while interesting, has not been a fun one to follow.  The violence that happened in Arizona over the weekend was senseless and tragic, and once the initial shock has passed, will be the topic of much debate over gun control, political rhetoric, freedom of speech and many other topics.  Words can’t express the feelings that a tragic event like this evokes- certainly anger, disbelief, fear, and sadness.  We can only keep those directly affected in our thoughts and prayers, and search for lessons to be learned from this horrific event. 

 

I have taken keen interest in the news conferences that have been conducted by medical professionals regarding Congresswoman Giffords’ injuries and treatment.  I appreciate having the knowledge that I have about the brain, as it has made these reports more meaningful to me.  The doctors say that the bullet passed through the left hemisphere of her brain, from back to front.  They stated that while this trajectory has the potential to be life-threatening,  it could have been much worse had the bullet gone from one hemisphere to the other, and through the central structures of Ms. Giffords’ brain.  Injury to the brain stem, or some of the other structures located deep in the center of the brain would have caused total debilitation and more likely, immediate death. 

The left hemisphere (in most people) contains the primary centers for the brain’s processing of language.  This includes areas known as Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, which are critical for both producing speech, as well as understanding speech.  The medical updates I’ve heard have not made clear how high the bullet’s trajectory was within the left hemisphere.  My understanding (which may or may not be accurate) is that a higher trajectory would be less likely to affect those critical speech areas of the brain.

Also as you probably know, the left hemisphere of the brain controls functioning of the right side of the body- and vice versa.  While Ms. Giffords’ doctors have been cautiously optimistic about her recovery, it remains to be seen how much damage has been done to the speech centers of her brain, or to the motor cortex that controls movements on the right side of her body.

When neurosurgeon Dr. Lemole talks about his cautious optimism, he relates the seemingly simple but positive signs he has seen when he examines his patient.  When asked to “give a thumbs-up” for example, the fact that Ms. Giffords is able to complete the task indicates that her ability to hear and understand language remains intact.  What may seem like a very simple task, is really a test of many very sophisticated brain processes, all of which provide clues to the medical team regarding which parts of her brain seem to be functioning well, and which have been affected adversely by her injury. 

 

I have been incredibly impressed by the two doctors that have been interviewed regularly since the tragedy on Saturday.  Dr. Lemole and Dr. Rhee, (the trauma physician) are extremely articulate in the way they provide information to the public.  They are able to explain the most complex of topics- the human brain- in a way that lay-people can understand.  Every time they speak, I find myself marveling over first, their knowledge and expertise about the brain and how it works, and second, their ability to communicate with those who don’t share that level of expertise and understanding.

  

I will be following Ms. Giffords’ progress over the next several weeks and months through several “lenses”.  First, I’ll watch, listen and pray- that she continues to improve, and that she can triumph over this senseless act by making a full (or nearly full) recovery.  Second, I’ll continue to watch and listen to the updates that are given, and will deepen my own understanding of the brain’s remarkable ability to ‘rewire’ itself in the face of traumatic injury.  Those of us who have a special interest in the human brain will be able to learn a lot from this very tragic event. 

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Gabby!