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Brazilian stroke victim cannot stop helping others after developing pathological generosity because of changes in the brain
Man, 49, developed 'excessive and persistent generosity' according to researchers Lost control of his finances and couldn't return to his job in a large corporation following change in behavior Stroke victim said it was time to 'enjoy life' and 'be in high spirits'
By Jennifer Smith PUBLISHED: 16:26 GMT, 7 September 2013 | UPDATED: 16:46 GMT, 7 September 2013

1,467 shares 26 View comments

The man's frontal lobe showed signs of low blood flow, although the stroke occurred in a subcortical region of the brain which is linked to higher level thinking

A man in Brazlil developed what doctors have called pathological generosity, after a stroke damaged parts of his brain causing his behaviour to change. The 49-year-old began to give away money, food and drinks excessively after a stroke disrupted the part of his brain related to higher thinking and decision making. Researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro concluded the man was left with 'excessive and persistent generosity' by the stroke which was brought on by bleeding in his brain. Doctors were able to determine the stroke occurred in a subcortical region of Mr A's brain which controls higher level thinking, and therefore could have affected areas associated with regulating normal behavior. It was caused by bleeding in the brain, a side effect of the man's high blood pressure. But, experts say knowing where the stroke occurred does not predict changes in behavior or personality, as the complexity of networks means an area not necessarily next to the injury can be affected. Dr Larry Goldstein, a neurologist and director of the Stroke Centre at Duke University said: 'Although the observation of personality change is not that unusual, this particular one is apparently novel.' The doctor told the Huffington Post: 'Stroke can cause a whole variety of neuropsychological and behavioral changes', adding that brain damage caused by low oxygen supply can lead to emotional changes with depression being the most common. Stroke has also been known to cause uncontrollable laughing or crying or neglect syndrome, in which people don't recognize one side of their visual field. Doctors at the University in Rio de Janeiro found Mr A's case particularly interesting as it represented the opposite attitude to conditions which result from stroke more commonly, such as hoarding and sociopathy. Studies have indicated in the past that certain brain structures, including the region which registers reward, have been involved in instances of generosity like donating anonymously donating to charity. The researchers said Mr A's condition could shed light on the relationship between 'altruism and egoism' which are crucial to decision making.

According to the man's wife he started giving away money and food excessively and

became unable to control his finances

According to his wife, the man spent his money on food and drink for children in the street, and was incapable of resuming his managerial job within a large corporation after the stroke. When asked by researchers if he wanted to return to work, he reportedly said he had worked enough and that it was time to 'enjoy life which is too short.' Mr A told doctors he was aware of changes in his behavior and claimed he 'saw death from close up' and wanted to 'be in high spirits' from then onwards. Other streaks of generous behavior have been linked to people with mania, dementia and Parkinson's disease when treated, but Mr A showed no symptoms of such conditions when psychologically evaluated. He reported being depressed, forgetful and unable to focus, and showed symptoms usually associated with damage in the frontal lobe of the brain such as lack of persistence or impaired judgement. A CT scan showed low blood flow in several brain regions, including areas in the frontal lobe. These regions, although far from the bleed focus, are connected with it by neural pathways, which may have been the interrupted the interplay of neural systems that contribute to personality traits, researchers say. Mr. A was put on medication to treat his depression and said he felt cured two years later, but his generosity was unchanged. The full report was published on August 20 in the journal, Neurocase.

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Comments (26)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all maybe its not changes in the brain maybe he just made a choice and realised life isnt all about money... - Jon , Dewsbury, United Kingdom, 08/9/2013 00:32 Click to rate Report abuse This is me without a stroke but being generous these days is seen as a weakness, which says alot about society and the direction headed is not a good one... Rating 181

- mc , syd, 08/9/2013 00:30 Click to rate Report abuse Alternatively, his perspective on life changed after the stroke made him realise that you can't take anything with you once you're dead, and your existence is meaningless without kindness. - AK , UK, United Kingdom, 08/9/2013 00:16 Click to rate Report abuse This might sound like a good trait but I imagine it's torture for the wife at times. - Bakes , Cov, United Kingdom, 07/9/2013 23:56 Click to rate Report abuse Maybe he's the normal one and we're all pathologically ungenerous. - saintlennon , Boston, United States, 07/9/2013 23:34 Click to rate Report abuse Oh didnt realise genorosity was a disease?? - imjustsayin24 , liverpool, 07/9/2013 22:56 Click to rate Report abuse So he basically became a socialist? - the philosopher , staffordshire, United Kingdom, 07/9/2013 22:43 Click to rate Report abuse There was an episode on House were a man was diagnosed with the same thing!! - Youknowme , Brummingham, 07/9/2013 22:26 Click to rate Report abuse Sadly, I'll bet he's getting a lot of FB friend requests. - ramsay bolton , winterfell, 07/9/2013 22:14 Click to rate Report abuse Wow! I think I saw this on House, didn't know it was real - Sarah , Doha, 07/9/2013 21:39 Click to rate Rating 21 Rating 46 Rating 27 Rating 8 Rating 112 Rating 209 Rating 62 Rating 134 Rating 155

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