Part 14/16:
Finally, the cortex—the outer layer of the brain—is discussed as the seat of consciousness, planning, and self-image. Damage to the visual cortex, especially in cases of stroke, results in profound deficits like cortical blindness. Dr. Buren illustrates this with the story of a woman who, due to a stroke in her visual cortex, lost her ability to read Braille despite being an adept tactile reader before. This highlights the cortex’s role in shaping perception and how neural plasticity allows other parts of the brain to compensate or rewire after injury.