For centuries, scientists had only one way to study the brain: wait for misfortu
ne to strike - strokes, seizures, infections, lobotomies, horrendous accidents,
phantom limbs, Siamese twins - and see how the victims changed afterwards. In ma
ny cases their survival was miraculous, and observers marvelled at the transform
ations that took place when different parts of the brain were destroyed. Parents
suddenly couldn't recognise their children.
