Conjoined at-the-head twins have connected brains, see through each other's eyes, but

Article here.

[Image: hogantwinsblowballoons.jpg]

The structure of the twins’ brains makes them unique in the world. Their brains are connected by a thalamic bridge, connecting the thalamus of one with that of the other. The thalamus acts like a switchboard relaying sensory and motor signals and regulating consciousness.

Krista and Tatiana Hogan share the senses of touch and taste and even control one another’s limbs. Tatiana can see out of both of Krista’s eyes, while Krista can only see out of one of Tatiana’s. Tatiana controls three arms and a leg, while Krista controls three legs and an arm. They can also switch to self-control of their limbs.

The twins say they know one another’s thoughts without having to speak. “Talking in our heads” is how they describe it.

The girls have very different personalities. Tatiana is outgoing, talkative and high strung while Krista is quieter, more relaxed and loves to tell jokes.

An example of, at least, extreme developmental plasticity. The conjoined girls have distinct brains; each has her own frontal lobe, lower brain stem and cerebellum, but their two brains are connected and coordinated with new complex functional brain structures and new complex functional organization and no evolutionary explanation for it.

Article here.

[Image: hogantwinsblowballoons.jpg]




An example of, at least, extreme developmental plasticity. The conjoined girls have distinct brains; each has her own frontal lobe, lower brain stem and cerebellum, but their two brains are connected and coordinated with new complex functional brain structures and new complex functional organization and no evolutionary explanation for it.

Considering craniopagus twin births occur every 2.5 million births and rarely survive 24 hours there could not be an evolutionary advantage.

Article here.

[Image: hogantwinsblowballoons.jpg]




An example of, at least, extreme developmental plasticity. The conjoined girls have distinct brains; each has her own frontal lobe, lower brain stem and cerebellum, but their two brains are connected and coordinated with new complex functional brain structures and new complex functional organization and no evolutionary explanation for it.

What do you mean by no evolutionary explanation for it?  This isn't caused by a mutation of DNA, right? Isn't the explanation what you mentioned?  That is, the unique ways the girls' brains interconnect, due to the fact that they got mixed together in the womb.

Very interesting case, thanks for linking to it.  Seems to me to support an informational approach to consciousness, such as IIT which I am partial to.

So this is an argument for Intelligent Design?!