bar ilan talk 2010
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embraining the mindTRANSCRIPT
EMBRAINING THE MIND:
On cerebral localization and the nature of culture
Sky Gross
Hitler’s Trial
Matrix, Avatar, Inception
This is Tedand this is Ted
((or Ted’s “Neuro”
It’s all about the Brain
Neurochemical Selves
The Cerebral Subject and Brainhood
The Cerebral subject :research
∞ History of the cerebral subject∞ Popular culture∞ “Neuro” disciplines ∞ Neuroethics∞ Commercial practices ∞ Debates∞ Clinical settings∞ Biosocial groups∞ Forms of resistance
On Brain Cancero In Israel: about 100 new cases a year. risk: about
0.5%o Primary vs. Metastatic (1/9 ratio).o Types: four grades of malignancy, 200 types,
about 50% highly malignant. o Life expectancy below 12 months: 72% for
grade IV. overall: 54%o Diagnosis: radiology (MRI), histopathology,
clinical evaluation.o Symptoms: seizures, motor and sensory
dysfunction, personality changes, headaches.o Treatment: symptoms-oriented, surgery, initial
chemo, radiotherapy, aggressive chemo, trials, palliative.
The Ethnography
o Inner team conferenceso Conferences with radiologistso Conferences with neurosurgeonso Rounds in the hospital wardo Consultationso Interviews with staffo Interviews with patientso Following up on patients
Typical Referral to Clinic“Got up this morning, can’t feel my left arm. I guess I
should see my doctor…”
Doc: – “Hmmm… Let’s do an MRI.”
Results are back:– “The radiology report says there’s a solid neoplasm in
the right motor cortex.”– “Uh?!”– “There’s a tiny little spot there, look, you can see it
right here. It may be nothing… but let’s get you an appointment at the neurooncology clinic.”
– “No panic, no panic… But did he say oncology?!”
Neurooncologists
Head Nurse
Social Worker
Histopathologist
Neuropsychologist
Neurosurgeons
Radiologists
HematologistsOncologists
Endocrinologists
The Clinic
Glimpses and Representations
The PolaroidThe Subtle The Diffused
EMBRAINING THE MIND:
On cerebra l l oca l i za t ion and the nature o f cu l tu re
DISCUSSIONSky Gross, PhD
Faculty of Medicine, the Hebrew University of [email protected]