What’s in a brain? Dr Guy Sutton

Specialist neuroscientist at Nottingham University, Dr Guy Sutton recently gave a lecture and brain dissection for first year A Level Psychology students.

Dr Sutton spoke to students to help extend their understanding of the human brain through case studies and every day scenarios. In his lecture he explained the workings of the brain and how our speech can be drastically affected by a specific region of the brain. Dr Sutton discussed the physiological effect drugs and alcohol has on the brain and the damage that happens as a result. He showed that mental health conditions can be the result of physiological damage, or defects to the brain.

Dr Sutton then illustrated his lecture by dissection of a sheep brain, demonstrating a rare brain surgery performed on humans called a Hemispherectomy. Showing all the major parts of the brain students have learnt about reinforced learning and brought the subject to life in a manner they may experience at university. Throughout the dissection students had a rare opportunity touch the brain and closely see the anatomy of the brain such as the cerebellum and the hippocampus.

One student commented ‘It was so interesting to see different parts of the brain in person and to learn how disorders like schizophrenia can affect the brain physically’.