Brain story. Part 1, All in the mind.

Prof. Susan Greenfield begins this 6-part exploration of individuality, identity and consciousness by looking at medical conditions which affect perception and personality, including phantom limb, degenerative brain disease and epilepsy. She examines accounts of spiritual experiences in the light of new knowledge about brain activity. Contributors include Henry Marsh (neurosurgeon, Atkinson Morley Hospital) who is seen removing a brain tumour with the assistance of the conscious patient, and Prof. John Hodges (Addenbrooke's Hospital) who explains the importance of the brain's frontal lobe in preserving the personality. The programme is illustrated with brainscans and graphics illustrating the action of synapses.