The Case Phineas Gage

The Case Phineas Gage

PSY/360

18 April 2012

The Case Phineas Gage

This paper will focus on the role played by cognitive function on the human brain, as well as expand on how Phineas Gage's freak accident supports how the brain deals with cognitive function. When looking at the cognitive function, you will see that it is termed as an intellectual or logical process that makes a person aware, comprehend or perceive ideas (CNBC, 2009). Cognitive function includes characteristics of a person's perception such as, sensing, reasoning, and conception, imagining and remembering (CNBC, 2009).

Scientists and researchers have recognized that every wonder of a person's mind comes from their brain. There are many ways to demonstrate how brain cells maintain the cognitive processes (CNBC, 2009). The cerebrum is the section of the brain where the cognitive functions begins. The cerebrum is also known as the cerebral cortex, it takes up most of the brains mass within the skull (CNBC, 2009). The cerebrum is consists of four diverse areas in the brain, these areas are known as lobes. Each of these lobes has a particular function they are responsible for, these functions consist of speaking, emotions, problem-solving abilities, learning, movement and perception. Particular tasks such as speaking, reading, and learning will require coordinated processing from varied areas of the cerebrum (CNBC, 2009).

Inside the cerebrum there are fibers that pass signals from one cell to another. These signal transmitters are synchronized by chemicals created by the nerve cells. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters (CNBC, 2009). The brain's many cognitive functions rely on the neurotransmitter processes to bring together whatever indicator being delivered amid the different areas of the brain. Signal transmissions are needed to pass between the left and right parts of the brain for accurate cognitive functions to occur (CNBC, 2009).

Phineas Gage, a 19th century railroad worker basically had a life changing accident that propelled him into medical history. In 1848, Gage, who was 25 at the time, was the foreman on a crew cutting a railroad bed in Cavendish, Vermont. On September 13, as he was using a tamping iron to pack explosive powder into a hole, the powder detonated. The 43 inches long tamping iron, shot skyward, penetrated Gage's left cheek, ripped into his brain and exited through the top of his skull, landing several dozen feet away. Though blinded in his left eye, he might not even have lost consciousness, and he remained savvy enough to tell a doctor that day, "Here is business enough for you" (S.Twomey, 2010).

Before Gage had his accident, he was a proficient foreman and capable of performing his job duties masterfully. Gage's mind was well-balanced and he was basically looked upon as an insightful well-groomed gentleman; however, after his accident he was obstinate and a bit impatient. Gage was also disturbed, brutish and grossly disrespectful, showing little respect towards his fellow workers (Hernandez, 2008). It was instantly recognizable that something indeed had occurred to Gage's mental