The Brain Observatory at UCSD Sections Brain of Patient H.M.
A year ago, the neuroscience community mourned the death of Henry Gustav Molaison. Now, led by Dr. Jacobo Annese, scientists at The Brain Observatory at the University of California San Diego are spending over 30 hours sectioning his brain into histological sections.
More commonly known as Patient H.M., Molaison had undergone an experimental brain operation in 1953 to correct a seizure disorder. The surgery resulted in profound amnesia, which left him unable to develop new memories. Over the next half century, Patient H.M. became known as the most important patient in the history of neuroscience. His voluntarily participation in research revolutionized our understanding of learning and memory.
Since acquiring the brain of Patient H.M., UCSD researchers have created a digital map of the specimen. After freezing it to -40 degrees Celsius, they have started sectioning the brain. According to The Brain Observatory’s website, the goal is to determine the exact position of the surgical resection that led to Patient H.M.’s memory impairment. All images will be made available to the neuroscience community.
Watch the live stream on The Brain Observatory’s website, through December 4, 2009.
{Image courtesy of The Brain Observatory}
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