greatest paragraph in a medical reference I've read all year:

[electricland]

[From a chapter on corpus callosotomy in my big fat textbook o' epilepsy, a.k.a. The Treatment of Epilepsy: Principles and Practice, 3rd ed, pp. 1178-1179]

A disturbing complication known as alien hand syndrome has been reported. In this syndrome, poor cooperation or even antagonistic behavior between the left and right hand is noted. The verbally dominant hemisphere may express displeasure with the actions of the ipsilateral extremities. The phenomenon is usually short lived and is usually seen only in the immediate postoperative period; however, on rare occasions it may persist....

Is your non-dominant hemisphere plotting revolution? And how would you know?

Comments

[rolypolypony.livejournal.com]

Oh my! I always _knew_ my hands didn't get along!!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

:D

Make sure your corpus callosum stays intact, or who knows what might happen?

[life-on-queen.livejournal.com]

Evil hand! EVIL HAND!!

You have to admit, sometimes, Angel was fun.

[calebbullen.livejournal.com]

My dominant hemisphere has spies all over the other one. Just in case.

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

It just so happens that the BBC's programme, All in the Mind, did an item on this very thing, this very week. It's probably still up on the Listen Again facility if you feel so moved. Honestly, no alien hands around for years and then two come along in the same week!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

That's amazing!

Just listened to the program -- fascinating. Thanks so much!