Neurology and The Magic 8-Ball

Even with the best doctors in the world using the best equipment money can buy, an honest neurologist will admit that there's a lot he/she doesn't understand about the human brain. In fact, a typical neurologist can interpret brain activity almost as well as a weatherman can predict the "snowstorm of the century." You know the one I'm talking about - that one that invariably recieves a week of hype every few years before it drops a measley inch of snow.

The neurologist reports on Grace frenquently sound like they are coming from a magic 8-ball. Near shift change it's usually "Better not tell you now." Some have given the honest appraisal: "Reply hazy, try again." The neurologist lacking bedside manor essentialy gave an "Outlook not so good" while the very next guy on the very next shift said "Outlook good" followed by a "Cannot predict now." What's more, the test results are insignificant if Grace isn't able to intentionally move around. So if one test looks absolutely AWESOME but Grace still isn't moving, you'll essentially get a "Concentrate and ask again."

Do brain scans give enough useful information to make life or death decisions? Frustrated after getting 2 diametrically opposed opinions yesterday on the exact same set of data, many people would say "My reply is no."

Brain scans can reveal some interesting trends. However, if you're looking for a revelation to come from a brain scan, the moral of the story may be "Don't count on it."