Doctors Treat Brain Disorders As Mysteries Remain

UNDATED - Doctors complete a proceedure during which they implanted a diagnostic grid of electrodes in Chris Cotter's brain in 1995 in Baltimore, Maryland. Each electrode is connected to one of the wires seen here. Cotter suffered from epilepsy and doctors determined what portion of his brain was causing his seizures by analyzing information from the grid during the episodes. For two weeks surgeons also observed information from these grids and recorded information on what parts of Cotter's brain demonstrated activity when made simple movements like wiggling his fingers and toes. The monitoring prevented doctors from affecting crucial "well-functioning" parts of his brain during surgery. The brain, which makes us distinctly human, is unquestionably far more complex than any machine. It weighs about three pounds and is made up of delicate tissue containing billions of cells which regulate the body, learn to navigate the complicated world we live in, and hold a lifetime of memories. Although advances in science and medicine have improved treatment of common brain disorders, the brain still holds many mysteries. (Photo by Joe McNally/Getty Images)