The Curious Case of Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage, referred to as one of the most famous patients in neuroscience, experienced a traumatic brain injury when an iron rod was driven through his entire skull destroying a large portion of his frontal lobe, resulting in massive brain damage.

Gage not only survived the initial injury but was able to speak and walk to a nearby cart so he could be taken into town to be seen by a doctor. However, as a result of the incident Gage was left with a loss of his inhibition and demonstrated inappropriate behavior in social situations. He became the textbook case for post-traumatic personality change.

Nearly 12 years after his injury, Gage died of epileptic seizures.He left the legacy of having helped a psychologist study how an injury could change someone's behavior, as his case was the first of its kind.

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