Living with half a brain.

Date:
2007
  • Videos

About this work

Description

6-year-old Cameron has Rasmussen encephalitis, a rare brain disease which is eating away the right side of her brain and causing her to have up to 15 seizures a day. The effects of the disease have been increasing at a rapid rate and Cameron's parents have decided to opt for the only cure, a hemispherectomy, in which half of her brain is removed. The operation is performed at John Hopkins Children's Centre in Baltimore and detailed footage is shown of the procedure. Following surgery it is hoped that the functions usually performed by the right side of her brain will be transferred to the left, allowing her to lead a reasonably normal life. We also hear from Sean, a 14-year-old Barnsley boy with severe epilepsy who can have up to 20 seizures a day. Helen Cross at Great Ormond Street Children's hospital describes how epilepsy can be helped by removing part of the brain and we see brain surgery performed on Sean.

Publication/Creation

UK : Five, 2007.

Physical description

1 DVD (60 min.) (VHS) : sound, color, PAL.

Notes

Broadcast on 1 October, 2007

Copyright note

A Granada Production for Five

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    3617D

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