Friday, April 29
08:00 am – 08:45 am / Session 01
Multi-Interest

Frank Musiek, PhD, CCC-A
Level of Instruction: Introductory   –   Tuquoise I & II

Split brain research has perhaps impacted our knowledge of the brain as much as any category of research over the past 50 plus years. With advances in controlling seizure disorder commissurotomy surgeries have dwindled and split brain investigations have almost stopped. It seems appropriate to review the some of the many advances brought to us by this unique kind of research. This presentation will provide a personal perspective of the speaker who was on the research team at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center when the commissurotomy procedure was reintroduced in the late 1970’s and 1980s. A history of split brain research will be reviewed highlighting key advances and the people behind these advances. Also provided will be a “behind the scenes” look at this amazing time in neurological surgery and research. In addition, a perspective on how this research which likely lead to Roger Sperry’s Nobel prize was viewed by patients, medicine and scientists.

Learner Outcomes:  At the completion of this presentation, participants will be able to discuss the history of split brain research, outline key advances in brain research resulting from commissurotomy surgery and discuss the rationale for split brain surgery.