Structure of the mind

Below are some images created by Dr Anne Adams who was a teacher and bench scientist but was also a sufferer of frontotemporal dementia, a form of dementia that reorganises brain connections. "The disease apparently altered circuits in their brains, changing the connections between the front and back parts and resulting in a torrent of creativity." The circuits reorganise resulting in reduced ability for speech, and motor skills, and experience behavoural changes. Meanwhile the creative part of the brains connections are strengthened.
The article is sourced from The New York Times at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/health/08brai.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Of particular interest is the focus on structure and repetition. My Gran who is also suffering from dementia was often frustrated by patterns in materials that seemed wrong. Too many tiles of one colour or lines in the pavement not meeting objects placed on them symmetrically. I often find myself looking for similar patterns and wonder if there is a connection between this pattern structuring and the development of dementia.
The first of the images is a representation of 'Bolero,' a piece of music by Maurice Ravel, who was also suffering from frontemporal dementia.
"'Bolero' alternates between two main melodic themes, repeating the pair eight times over 340 bars with increasing volume and layers of instruments. At the same time, the score holds methodically to two simple, alternating staccato bass lines.
'‘Bolero’ is an exercise in compulsivity, structure and perseveration,' Dr. Miller said. It builds without a key change until the 326th bar. Then it accelerates into a collapsing finale."


Bolero


Earthworm


Migraine


Pebbles


Pi