5 ms·

This is fascinating. Something like 80% or 90% by volume of this person's brain is "missing" but they are still able to function normally in society. This goes

This is fascinating. Something like 80% or 90% by volume of this person's brain is "missing" but they are still able to function normally in society. This goes to show the insane levels of plasticity that our brain has, and the great importance of the cortex. I wonder at what age he developed this condition and if he felt any symptoms/signs while it was developing.

988747 5y ago
80-90% of brain mass are not neurons, but the "supporting" tissue, taking care of things like storing nutrients supply. It is entirely possible to loose that extra mass and still be fully functioning.
- civilized 5y ago
  Presumably the giant ventricles are not functioning as proper supporting tissue though. So there's still a great deal of stress the brain has adapted to.
- nine_k 5y ago
  If most of the "power supply circuitry" can be stripped without much obvious harm, why isn't it more often? More "thinking" tissue with less support tissue could give clear advantages. OTOH if the supporting tissue id not excessive, what are the circumstances when it's important? Will this person have hard time holding breath without fainting? Fasting without fainting? Act well under a high prolonged intellectual load?
  - drzaiusapelord 5y ago
    Maybe this person is just one bad head injury from death where otherwise you and I with a similar injury would heal with hospitalization, or maybe just nurse a concussion for a day or two and be fine.
  - rbanffy 5y ago
    > More "thinking" tissue with less support tissue could give clear advantages. You'll reach thermal and energy constraints. Or, only half-joking here, you'll fall prey of a terrible depression and withdraw from all human company.
mellavora 5y ago
<former brain scientist> There is another famous case about a person who had a (physically) big head, to the point that people commented on it. Person ends up getting a Ph.D. in math, because hey, you know, big head, right? Turned out that the head size was due to a hydrocephalic condition-- the person barely had any brain tissue, most of the contents of their skull was fluid. Yes, the brain is pretty amazing.
- ptr2voidStar 5y ago

988747 5y ago

80-90% of brain mass are not neurons, but the "supporting" tissue, taking care of things like storing nutrients supply. It is entirely possible to loose that extra mass and still be fully functioning.

civilized 5y ago
Presumably the giant ventricles are not functioning as proper supporting tissue though. So there's still a great deal of stress the brain has adapted to.
nine_k 5y ago
If most of the "power supply circuitry" can be stripped without much obvious harm, why isn't it more often? More "thinking" tissue with less support tissue could give clear advantages. OTOH if the supporting tissue id not excessive, what are the circumstances when it's important? Will this person have hard time holding breath without fainting? Fasting without fainting? Act well under a high prolonged intellectual load?
- drzaiusapelord 5y ago
  Maybe this person is just one bad head injury from death where otherwise you and I with a similar injury would heal with hospitalization, or maybe just nurse a concussion for a day or two and be fine.
- rbanffy 5y ago
  > More "thinking" tissue with less support tissue could give clear advantages. You'll reach thermal and energy constraints. Or, only half-joking here, you'll fall prey of a terrible depression and withdraw from all human company.

mellavora 5y ago

<former brain scientist> There is another famous case about a person who had a (physically) big head, to the point that people commented on it. Person ends up getting a Ph.D. in math, because hey, you know, big head, right? Turned out that the head size was due to a hydrocephalic condition-- the person barely had any brain tissue, most of the contents of their skull was fluid. Yes, the brain is pretty amazing.

ptr2voidStar 5y ago