Brazillian Businessman Has Stroke, Then Can't Stop Giving Away Money

[Initech]

A Brazilian man recovering from a stroke has turned into a philanthropist after damage to parts of his brain changed his personality in a way previously unheard of by doctors.

The 49-year-old senior manager of a large corporation found that he could not stop giving away money and spending cash liberally on sweets, food and drinks for children he met in the street. His wife told doctors her husband’s generosity had led to significant family distress and almost bankrupted them.

The man, referred to as Mr A, suffered a stroke triggered by high blood pressure. This led to bleeding in his subcortical region, an area immediately below the cerebral cortex, associated with higher-level thinking and decision-making.

Psychiatrists at the University of Rio de Janeiro concluded that the stroke had disrupted Mr A’s emotional behaviour and judgement. Typical symptoms following damage to this region include depression, which Mr A has also displayed.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/businessman-suffers-stroke-then-cant-stop-giving-his-money-away-8803950.html

[Tien1985]

1. The Ebenezer Scrooge effect?

Maybe he had a visit with some ghosts? (JK)

Although I'm generally happy to see wealth spread around, I'm sorry for the man who suffered a stroke and now deals with depression and impulse control.

[Victor_c3]

2. I have a relative of mine who suffered a major head injury. It totally changed their personality too

[MADem]

3. Come sit by me....and bring your checkbook!!!!!!

Seriously, though, it's not uncommon for stroke to produce personality changes.

Though depression can be a common side effect, in some stroke patients, a normally reserved person can be much more emotionally transparent, which can be liberating for them.

There's so much we do not know about how the brain works....!