Short Wave What Happens When An Infant Loses Half Their Brain?
May 29, 2023
Meet Mora, a 15-year-old who, after losing half her brain at 9 months, now plays soccer and shares jokes. Her journey showcases the incredible power of brain plasticity, allowing her to adapt and thrive. Discover how infants can recover from such trauma better than adults, with remarkable resilience in cognitive and social skills. The podcast highlights inspiring findings that bring hope to families and the medical community, emphasizing the brain's remarkable ability to learn and adjust despite significant challenges.
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Maura's Teenage Life
- Maura Lieb, 15, enjoys typical teenage activities like soccer and jokes.
- She tells jokes like: "How do you make a hot dog stand? Take away its chair."
Maura's Early Life and Diagnosis
- Maura had a massive stroke before birth and experienced seizures at three months old.
- An MRI revealed half of her brain was damaged, leading to surgery.
Impact of Brain Removal
- Removing half of Maura's brain impacted her motor functions and language development, essentially making her like a newborn again.
- The left side of the brain, responsible for speech, was removed, raising questions about her future ability to speak.