Mental Abilities

1.       Explain in detail what "savant syndrome" means.

is a rare condition in which people with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual's overall limitations. Savants have problems with the society because their brains is not prepare for it only in one material. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome

2.      

W   

w     what does genius mean?  Explain the difference between genius and savant.

is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight. The difference is that Genius are good at almost everything while savants are extremely good at only one or two things and they are considered pretty stupid for it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius

3.        

w    What is a stroke and how could it affect your mental functioning?

It is a rapid loss of brain functions, because of the lack of oxygen in the system or the brain, and it can cause permanent neurological damage. As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see one side of the visual field. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke

4.                          

w    What is a functional MRI and how does it help us understand brain activity?

MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, transmitted electronically, printed or copied to a CD. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=fmribrain

5.        

w       What is the corpus callosum and what role does it play in your brain's activity?

is a wide, flat bundle of neural fibers beneath the cortex in the eutherian brain at the longitudinal fissure. It connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication. It is the largest white matter structure in the brain.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpus_callosum

6.        

w      What is epilepsy and how might it affect your brain's abilities?

These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy

7.       What is autism?

causes kids to experience the world differently from the way most other kids do. It's hard for kids with autism to talk with other people and express themselves using words. Kids who have autism usually keep to themselves and many can't communicate without special help. http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html.

8.        

w    What is Asperger's Syndrome?

is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome.