How a Head Injury Turned Teenager Into a Musical Genius
Zac Tiessen was frequently
compared to his brother whom was extremely talented in art, whereas Zac was
just an average kid. Well until an accident had occurred on the playground, that
resulted in his ninth concussion. The injury prompted several changes in his
personality, tastes, and intelligence. He became more focused, introverted, and
growingly loved creating music. This was especially, abnormal because before
the injury he did not like music. Zac actually invented a playing technique
called “double stranded thumb tapping” on the guitar. Researchers related this
new skill to brain damage that caused the right hemispheres to compensate, which
is associated with skills in art, music, and math skills and lead him in becoming
a “prodigious person” (Latimer, 2016).
There
are other instances where head injuries resulted in artistic abilities. For example,
Derek Amato became a piano prodigy after a detrimental concussion. In another
case, Roald Dahl underwent a harmful head injury after a plane crash in WWII. The
accident caused damage in his frontal lobes, which lead to his abilities as an
esteemed writer. This theory has yet to be proven, however evidence is developing
that artistic geniuses might be created or accelerated by the brain’s attempt
to repair itself and overcompensating in its efforts (Latimer, 2016).
These
cases are similar to Phineas Gage, whom had become irresponsible, impulsive,
and disrespectful after an iron rod had gone through his skull. In 1860, he was
one of the first cases that displayed damage in specific parts on the brain. Unfortunately,
in his experience the injury altered his personality in a negative aspect, compared
to some individuals who have become extraordinary skilled in artistic
capacities. Luckily today, we have Phineas Gage’s experience along with others
to help patients like Zac Tiessen.
This is a really interesting article and I've never heard of brain damage having a positive effect. Before I read the bottom of your post I was actually thinking about Phineas Gage! Is there a specific type/method of injury that determines if the damage is negative or positive?
ReplyDeleteThe article never clarified if there is a type of injury/method that determines if the damage is negative or positive. I think one of the doctors on his case said his injury is still concerning, even though the outcome worked out in his favor.
DeleteI think it is so amazing yet terrifying how the brain compensates for a deficit in a specific areas. I can't imagine being a family member or friend of a person who becomes a completely different person as a result of a brain injury. Like you mentioned, luckily for Zac, his personality change had a positive affect.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good article to reference when talking about localization or equipotentiality. It also demonstrated how the left and right hemispheres are tied to different sets of skills.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have guessed that someone can suddenly develop a deep passion for and incredible talent in something they previously had no interest in, and I definitely wouldn't have thought it could be activated by a concussion. It's really amazing what the brain can do not only to repair damage done to it, but also to modify behaviors and ideas.
As Abra stated, this is a good example of how the brain is able to take over certain functions that are missing from the body as a whole. I'm glad that we actually have living and more moral ways to examine and investigate the effect of damage to some parts of the brains as opposed to looking and manipulating someone with a beam through his head. I think that there needs to be an increased awareness of the danger of concussions; they can result in persisting changes in personality and preferences. However, these changes may not be as functional or beneficial as in Tiessen's case. That was Zac's ninth concussion; that is a reason as to why football players wear helmets. Neurological damage can be persisting, permanent, hard to treat, and impossible to "correct."
ReplyDelete