Foregen and the Brain

[bge275]

First off, I find Foregen and stem cell research very interesting.

Anyways, I was wondering how would our bodies, most notably the brain react to having a foreskin that would regrow in the matter of month(s) for those of us that were cut at birth? Having learned a little about behavioral endocrinology, when we mature into adults (puberty), the brain undergoes certain changes. What I'm wondering is once were adults, the brain's mind map is basically set for life. Does that mean for those of us who lost our foreskin at birth or a young age, did the brain fully develop? Or, is that "section" undeveloped (not likely)? Or, lost from disuse atrophy (doubt it)? Or, is being used for other functions instead of its primary function because of the brain's plasticity (most likely)?

So in the end, would it feel normal as if we always had it, since we basically just about never had it? Or would the sudden (comparing to many years of not having one) regeneration confuse the brain? Also, going further into psychology, where would this "new" part take place in the brain? Would it take up residence in its normal area? Or, join in with what we already have? Or, a new spot for it would be made?

[Mincan]

once were adults, the brain's mind map is basically set for life.

Don't know where you got that idea, but it's wrong. and apologies if that's not what you meant, I couldn't really tell, although you structured the sentence like a statement. later you mention plasticity, so I'm kind of confused here. If you're asking which it is, well plasticity is pretty much agreed upon in neurology, but as for this particular issue, I'm just as fascinated as the rest of us. :)

[Baron]

There was a tugger, I forget his name, on these forums that described experiencing brain mapping blips over time as he was restoring. Things like thinking his penis was upside down when it wasn't and such. It was just the brain getting used to the new skin (and therefore new nerves even though they wern't the specialized ones we lost). Obviously there's no way of knowing until it is tried, but I don't think there will be radically different results from what we already know the brain is capable is of. I think there will certainly be a learning process but it won't be as complicated as learning to see and therefore won't take too long to become natural. Nerves are pretty plug and play.

Just though of another example of relearning nerves. Sometimes athletes tear the median nerve of the arm and lose function of their arms but doctors have cleverly figured out how to reconnect it to another nerve that controls our diaphragm for breathing. After a few months the brain figures out how to send the signals through the new nerve paths and the person regains function. It is pretty amazing what the brain is capable of so I wouldn't be worried about it. As Enzo said on this subject; Organ first!