CASE STUDY

GROUP 1
REAS, JESHERYL
AVORQUE, KRISHA MAE
GLINO, ALEXIS
GONZALES, ANGELICA
CHAVEZ, DARLEAN
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
*Describe how physical changes in the brain affect
behavior and personality
 PHINEAS GAGE
On September 13, 1848, 25 yrs.
Old, Phineas Gage was
working with a blasting crew
when he was in an accident that
prove a tamping iron through
his head. The rod entered
through the left cheekbone,
past his eye, and out the top of
his head. He survived the
trauma, but exhibit significant
behavioral changes.
THE INJURY

The iron rod destroyed the majority of

Gage’s left frontal lobe, an area of the brain
responsible for our emotions, personality
and language related movements. The
ventromedial region of the frontal lobe was
damaged, mostly on the left side.
 THE EFFECTS

• The parts of the frontal lobes

essential to intellectual, motor and
language function, the motor strip
and Broca’s area, where undamaged,
leaving his ability to move, talk, and
understand language intact.
• The major damage caused to the
ventromedial region is likely
responsible for the majority of the
personality changes.
 The Outcome
• Despite losing his left eye, he healed well physically. However,
the people closest to Gage quickly realized that he was not the
pleasant man they once knew. He was rude, antisocial and
profane.
• Unable to keep his previous job, he travelled around New
England and various other places.
• He worked as a stage coach driver until mid 1859, when his
health started to deteriorate.
• In 1860, He had several epileptic seizures.
• Late on May 21, 1860, less than 12 years after his injury,
Phineas Gage passed away.