How a Head Injury Turned Teenager Into a Musical Genius

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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.

 http://www.smh.com.au/technology/innovation/how-a-head-injury-turned-teenager-zac-tiessen-into-a-musical-genius-20161122-gsvfnv.html

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 6:02 PM

    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?

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    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 9:24 PM

      The 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.

      Delete
  2. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    I 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.

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  3. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 7:08 PM

    This 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.
    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Craig FarmerNovember 29, 2016 at 12:34 AM

    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."

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