|
|
 |
Dr. Brenda Milner
 |
|
| Dr. Brenda Milner |
|
A pioneer of the discipline of neuropsychology, Dr. Brenda Milner introduced the idea of systematic
neuropsychological assessment of surgical patients, studying in detail the effects brain surgery has on short-term
memory. Dr. Milner is perhaps best known for her work with "H.M.", an epileptic patient who underwent bilateral
hippocampal amputation to control seizures. Though she worked with H.M. for more than 25 years, Dr. Milner was a
complete stranger to him. Every time he discovered his favorite uncle died, for instance, he suffered the same grief
as if he had just been informed for the first time.
Dr. Milner received her MA from Cambridge University in 1949, her main interest focusing on experimental psychology.
She moved to Canada in 1944, and resumed her research in 1950 at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) and McGill
University. In 1952 she received a PhD for an investigation of the intellectual effects of temporal lobe damage in
humans. Dr. Milner's work has been widely recognized by her scientific peers through numerous awards, including the
Wilder Penfield Prize for Biomedical Research from the Province of Quebec in 1993, and fellowships in the Royal
Society of Canada and theRoyal Society of London.
She has also been honoured with several honorary degrees and was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 1984, and
Officier de l'Ordre national du QuŽbec in 1985. Dr. Milner has published over 100 papers and remains involved with
many of the major neurological and psychological organizations. Dr, Milner will receive an honorary doctor of science
during the May 10 session of convocation being held at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook.
|
|
