Mental Abilities: Genius, Savant and Autism

Savant Syndrome: This is a phenomena that is developed in those individuals who show mental and physical disability but still have great talents. After a variety of studies, the doctors have come to notice that savants usually obtain these extraordinary abilities, after they´ve suffered injuries to the left side of the brain (with right brain compensation). 


What is a Genius? What is the difference between an genius and a savant?
     Genius: (based on dictionary.reference.com) "an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially asshown in creative and original work in science, art, music,etc". 
     The difference between a genius and a savant, is the fact that a genius has an intellectual ability, is creative and has high IQ, while savants have relatively low IQ and are skillfull in certain specific areas. 


What is a Stroke? How can it affect your mental functioning?
     Stroke: (based on dictionary.reference.com) "...a blockage or hemorrhage of a blood vessel leading to thebrain, causing inadequate oxygen supply...". 
     A stroke affect mental functioning by affecting the motor skills of the victim and also providing left and right brain damages. When a person is affected in the left area, they usually tend to develop difficulties when it comes to reading and speech. They also become cautious, slow to act and it shortens one´s attention. 


What is a functional MRI? How does it help us understand brain activity?
     Functional MRI: This is a medical test that physicians use to diagnose condition and consequently see the possible treatments to a condition one might suffer.
     The MRI help understand brain activity, because affter physicians run a series of tests and experiments you could say, they see which part of the brain is used through each experiment, giving them an idea on how the brain function normally. 


What is Epilepsy? How does it affect one´s brain abilities?
     Epilepsy: (based on dictionary.reference.com) "a disorder of the nervous system, characterized either by mild,episodic loss of attention or sleepiness (petit mal)  or by severeconvulsions with loss of consciousness (grand mal)". 
     Epilepsy kills brain cells as seizures start to appear, but scientist have found that individual seizures do not cause brain damage. (this is stated due to lack of scientific evidence). 


What is Autism?
     Autism: (based on dictionary.reference.com) "...developmental disorder of children,characterized by impaired communication, excessive rigidity,and emotional detachment". 


What is Asperger´s Syndrome? 
     Asperger´s Syndrome: This is a form of autism that provides anxiety and confusion due to the fact that this syndrome makes it difficult for one to interact with others and read simple signs.