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Kim Peek, aka Rain Man Focus of NASA Study

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the check-out-the-big-brain-on-brad dept.

Bob Vila's Hammer writes "Kim Peek - an autistic man who has been deemed a "mega-savant" for his astonishing knowledge of 15 grand subjects ranging from history and literature, geography and numbers, to sports, music and dates - is a part of a new NASA study to explore the changes in his brain since MRI images were originally taken in 1988. Not only was he the basis of the main character in the movie Rain Man, but he apparently is getting smarter in his specialty areas as he gets older. The study has scientists hoping that technology used to study the effects of space travel on the brain will help explain his mental capabilities."

2 of 366 comments (clear)

  1. Geography vs. Spoon location by cmstremi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Interesting that he can describe driving directions and specific geography but can't apply the same skills to locating the silverware - they seem like very similar tasks.

  2. Peek on tour by DevilPen · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Kim Peek and his father visited my college (Elizabethtown College) several years ago. It was basically the two of them on stage describing Kim's condition. That was followed up by some interesting personal stories from Kim's life... including their involvement in the "Rain Man" film experience.

    The most interesting part of the session was the question and answer portion at the end. For about 30 - 45 minutes Kim fielded various "trivia" questions from the audience. They ranged from obscure baseball facts from 50 years ago, to a student standing up, stating his name and hometown and asking for his address and phone number. No-one succeeded in stumping Peek.

    Peek's visit was certainly one of two most interesting speakers to visit my college while I was there. (the other would be Desmond Tutu)